Episode 18: The High Ground: Part 1

Outer space is the ultimate strategic high ground for the world's great powers. This is true for both spy satellites and ballistic missiles. During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan proposed the creation of a technologically advanced, space-based defensive weapon system known as S.D.I.. But critics of the proposal dubbed it 'Star Wars' and said it would trigger a new arms race with the Soviet Union. What historical lessons can be learned from this episode in history? REFERENCES: "Adolf Hitler's Plot to Bomb New York" By David Robinson https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/368490/Adolf-Hitler-s-plot-to-bomb-New-York "The 1983 Military Drill that Nearly Sparked Nuclear War with the Soviets" by Francine Uenuma https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-1983-military-drill-that-nearly-sparked-nuclear-war-with-the-soviets-180979980/ "Strategic Defense Initiative" State.gov https://2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/rd/104253.htm MUSIC: "Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "Ossuary 6 - Air" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "Shores of Avalon" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "Perspectives" Kevin MacLeod (incomptech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/