[rgmerk]

The US doesn’t need missile defence to maintain second strike capability.

That’s what SSBNs are for.

[frogblast]

Indeed, which is why it is a bit silly to spend so much money on both. And yet the US does.

[StanislavPetrov]

Silly if military prowess is your goal. Brilliant if funneling money to the military-industrial complex, garnering huge donations from lobbyists and making sure that all your friends and extended family are guaranteed lucrative careers is the goal.