ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the nature of the defense programs that are likely to be pursued by the United States under a constrained budget. It also provides some estimates of likely long-term and attempts to predict the likely interaction of US-Soviet relations. However, several sets of programs are open to modification: these include highly classified, or "black" programs, the continued development and possible deployment of ground-mobile ICBMs, and of course, the Strategic Defense Initiative. Since World War II, the United States has relied upon its technological superiority as a mainstay of its defense policy. Indeed, nuclear bombs were the high technology means of ending World War II on terms favorable to the United States and its allies. A faltering Mexican economy is placing ever-increasing pressure on the United States. Some observers believe that the relative decline of the United States in world trade, its chronic balance of trade deficit, and other international economic problems will eventually affect US international political power.
