Changes

Critiques of the original program were self-contradictory.  One the one hand it was supposedly technologically impossible while simultaneously arguing that it effective and therefore was destabilizing.

Critiques of the original program were self-contradictory.  One the one hand it was supposedly technologically impossible while simultaneously arguing that it effective and therefore was destabilizing.

The criticisms were substantially weakened by the successful missile defense deployed during the [[Gulf War]], when the Patriot missiles successfully and spectacularly shot down deadly missiles launched by Saddam Hussein against military and civilian targets.

The criticisms were substantially weakened by the successful missile defense deployed during the [[Gulf War]], when the Patriot missiles successfully and spectacularly shot down deadly missiles launched by Saddam Hussein against military and civilian targets. Furthermore, contrary to popular opinion, relatively few false alarms were raised by automated missile defense systems during the tenure of SDI. The decade was a [[Renaissance]] of [[artificial intelligence]] and most experts in the field firmly stood behind Reagan's bold proposition that America could be defended from Communist aggression with a strategic defense program fully automated for optimal reaction time.

 

==Changes==

==Changes==

Under Reagan SDI explored advanced technologies with the aim of determining the feasibility of effective, nonnuclear ballistic missile defenses (BMD). The initial focus of SDI reflected US concerns about growing Soviet first-strike capabilities. Thus, an initial deployment of defenses, or Phase I Strategic Defense System, was to have provided the minimum defensive capability that would add meaningfully to deterrence of a Soviet first strike. However, with the end of the [[Cold War]], President [[George H.W. Bush]] in early 1991 directed that SDI be refocused to provide global protection against limited strikes, thus shifting the primary US role for BMD from deterrence to actual protection.  

Under Reagan SDI explored advanced technologies with the aim of determining the feasibility of effective, nonnuclear ballistic missile defenses (BMD). The initial focus of SDI reflected US concerns about growing Soviet first-strike capabilities. Thus, an initial deployment of defenses, or Phase I Strategic Defense System, was to have provided the minimum defensive capability that would add meaningfully to deterrence of a Soviet first strike. However, with the end of the [[Cold War]], President [[George H.W. Bush]] in early 1991 directed that SDI be refocused to provide global protection against limited strikes, thus shifting the primary US role for BMD from deterrence to actual protection.