OPINION:
Jed Babbin says we have to be serious about nuclear deterrence (“Our satellites are defenseless if Russian nukes are in orbit,” web, Feb. 26). Where has Mr. Babbin been for the past 40 years?
President Ronald Reagan surprised his administration and the rest of the world in 1983 with his proposal for a Strategic Defense Initiative. At the time, few recognized that he was introducing a significant enhancement to deterrence. Unfortunately, no administration since has followed through on the possibilities presented by SDI.
The underlying concept of SDI was the production of a capability for intercepting any missile launched toward the U.S., our allies or our troops from anywhere in the world. Such a capability could be achieved with an integrated defense architecture incorporating ground- and sea-launched interceptors with space-based assets, all relying on hit-to-kill missiles without any explosive warheads.
Had we pursued such a system instead of relying solely on the ground- and sea-based interceptors we have developed, we would not have been concerned to learn that Russia is now attempting to deploy nuclear-armed, space-based weapons.
Of course, we are heavily reliant on our satellites for civil and defense activities, and of course our satellites are vulnerable to attack, but none of this is new. Successive administrations have ignored the dangers, and advisers have turned a blind eye to such critical issues.
Suggesting that President Biden should develop an anti-satellite capability when he is incapable of sealing our borders is laughable. We cannot forget that deterrence is only effective if it is accompanied by strength of capability and strength of purpose. The chaos at our southern border demonstrates neither.
STANLEY ORMAN
Rockville, Maryland
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