ABSTRACT
The Star Wars program is bound to exacerbate the competition between the superpowers in three major ways. It will destroy the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty; it will directly stimulate both offensive and defensive systems on the Soviet side; and as long as it continues it will darken the prospect for significant improvement in the currently frigid relations between Moscow and Washington. The defense of the ABM Treaty is thus a first requirement for all who wish to limit the damage done by the Star Wars program. The Congress should encourage the Administration toward a new and more vigorous effort to insist on respect for the ABM Treaty by the Soviet government as well. One of the most unfortunate aspects of the Star Wars initiative is that it was launched without any attempt to discuss it seriously, in advance, with the Soviet government.
