The Implications of SDI for U.S.-European Relations

Abstract

The principal measure of the significance of Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) for the West Europeans and their relations with the United States (US) is the same measure as in other interallied controversies and crises: the extent to which it affects, and the way it affects, the role of extended deterrence in NATO relationships. The SDI is not the first US-backed military program to have caused significant concern among the European allies and major controversy between the US and allied governments or their publics. In 1980 the US-Soviet détente collapsed following the Soviets' occupation of Afghanistan; meanwhile, the allies, especially the West Germans, tried to maintain the East-West detente in Europe. A partial defense against nuclear and conventional missiles would be more feasible; it should be more acceptable to the European allies, especially if they could gain comparable protection to that which the superpowers enjoyed.