"BASED ON LASER SYSTEMS NOT YET DEVELOPED"

PRESIDENT REAGAN PROPOSES STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan proposed an anti-missile system officially called the Strategic Defense Initiative which promised to make the United States virtually impregnable to a nuclear attack.

According to the U.S. Department of State Archive, because "the idea was dependent on futuristic technology" such as "space-based laser systems that had not yet been developed" SDI was nicknamed "Star Wars."

Despite Mr. Reagan's continued backing, the government's commitment to SDI "waned" over time and as the INF and START Treaties* were negotiated with the Soviet Union.

*The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (1987) was a landmark nuclear arms agreement between the USA & USSR.  The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (1991) limited the number of ICBMs & nuclear warheads of both USA & USSR.

SOURCE

"Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) 1983," U.S. Department of State Archive, www.2001-2009.state.gov/

Artist's concept of a ground/space-based hybrid laser weapon

1984

THE REYKJAVIK SUMMIT

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2086

REYKJAVIK SUMMIT ENDED IN STALEMATE 30 YEARS AGO

Reykjavik, Iceland (JFK+50) Thirty years ago today, October 12, 1986, a summit meeting between Soviet Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev and United States President Ronald Reagan ended in stalemate here in Reykjavik.

The fast-paced two day summit held promise of the elimination of nuclear weapons forever, but ended with no agreement largely due to a disagreement over President Reagan's proposed Strategic Defense Iniative which Mr. Gorbachev was determined to "make sure...would never be implemented."

President Reagan walked away from the summit angry that they had come so close to a final agreement but failed in the end.

The Reykjavik Summit, however, set the stage for future agreements such as the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987 which eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons.

SOURCE

"The Reykjavik Summit," October 11-12, 1986, www.thereaganvision.org/

Hofdi House

Reykjavik, Iceland

Photo by Laurentgauthier (2007)

Reagan & Gorbachev

Reykjavik, Iceland

October 12, 1986

White House Photo Office