[dark_lord]

Once we develop it [SDI], the entire world can be brought under the shield, thus rendering nukes from rogue nations impotent. That will make nuclear weapons worthless. At last.

Nope. Nuclear weapons will then be delivered by stealth. Two examples:
(a) Delivered to seaports via submarine.
(2) Designed to be assembled from components that can be either smuggled across a border in a backpack, or hidden in shipping containers with electronic or machine parts. (The nuclear core would be backpacked in, or else slipped ashore by special forces from a sub -- the most likely scenario.)

Yes, we need SDI. But each strategy produces a counter-strategy, and I suspect the future will involve "componentized" nukes that can be assembled by specialists infiltrated into a country. Put the sucker in some suburban basement in a major metro and you are ready to go.

[Red Dog #1]

Hell just put put a nuke in a shipping container and set it off in Long Beach Harbour before it goes through customs.

[attiladhun2]

That is why we must have a policy of pre-emption, and all nations which sponsor, promote, or harbor terrorists are fair game.

[ODDITHER]

Now we know why France was so upset about SDI. They would no longer be able to manipulate the US through dirty little dictators.

[JimRed]

Yes, we need SDI. But each strategy produces a counter-strategy, and I suspect the future will involve "componentized" nukes that can be assembled by specialists infiltrated into a country. Put the sucker in some suburban basement in a major metro and you are ready to go.

One of the many reasons to secure our borders.