before SDI was deployed, thereby avoiding a disadvantaged nuclear posture. Proponents of SDI argued that SDI development might instead cause the side that did not have the resources to develop SDI to, rather than launching a suicidal nuclear first strike attack before the SDI system was deployed, instead come to the bargaining table with the country that did have those resources and, hopefully, agree to a real, sincere disarmament pact that would drastically decrease all forces, both nuclear and conventional. Furthermore, the MAD argument was criticized on the grounds that MAD only covered intentional, full-scale nuclear attacks by a rational, non-suicidal opponent with similar values. It did not take into account limited launches, accidental launches, rogue launches, or launches by non-state entities or covert proxies. During the Reykjavik talks with Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986, Ronald Reagan addressed Gorbachev's concerns about imbalance by stating that SDI technology could be provided to the entire world – including the Soviet Union – to prevent the imbalance from occurring. Gorbachev answered dismissively. When Reagan prompted technology sharing again, Gorbachev stated "we cannot assume an obligation relative to such a transition", referring to the cost of implementing such a program. A military officer who was involved in covert operations at the time has told journalist Seymour Hersh that much of the publicity about the program was deliberately false and intended to expose Soviet spies: Whistleblower In 1992, scientist Aldric Saucier was given whistleblower protection after he was fired and complained about "wasteful spending on research and development" at the SDI. Saucier also lost his security clearance. Plagiarism George Lucas, Lucasfilm CEO and the creator of Star Wars, sued Reagan for stealing the name based on his franchise. Timeline See also Anti-ballistic missile Anti-satellite weapons Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) Directed-energy weapons Zenith Star Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) International Conference of Laser Applications Militarization of space Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Missile defense systems by country Polyus (spacecraft) Rockwell X-30 – partly funded by the SDIO THAAD missile defense system United States national missile defense United States Space Force References Works cited (Reprint edition 1993; Diane Pub. Co.) Further reading Weapons in Space, 2 vols. Daedalus 114, nos. 2 (Spring 1985) & 3 (Summer 1985). External links Strategic Defense Initiative – Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Interview with George Keyworth about Star Wars Program from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives Missile Wars – A PBS