happen, the United States "would have no choices between surrender and suicide". Both those quotations are from page Al4 of The New York Times of 8 March 1985. Presumably, this is precisely the situation in which the proponents of "star wars" would like to place the soviet Union. The so-called defensive "star wars" systems are nothing but space strike weapons. They would be intended for attacking not only missiles but also satellites. They would be targeted above all at surveillance satellites of the other side so as to "blind" its strategic retaliatory forces. They could also be used from space for striking land-based, air-based and sea-based targets, including missiles in their launch sites and command and control centres. The appearance of space strike weapons, which would have automatic, global and practically instantaneous action, would open a qualitatively new stage in the arms race. Uncontrollable processes could be unleashed. The risk of nuclear war being started either deliberately or by accident would sharply incease. Such weapons would be capable of appearing over any region or State at any time and striking any target. It is clear that the aggressive circles, should they acquire a space "big stick", could develop an illusion of being permitted to do anything with impunity. It is important to emphasize that what is involved here is an entirely new class of means of warfare. The existing surveillance and communication satellites are not weapons in the proper sense of the word. They cannot "shoot" or kill. NR/plj A/C.l/40/PV.3 38 (Mr. Troyanovsky, USSR) Moreover, to a certain extent they even contribute to maintaining strategic stability, specifically by depriving the other side of an ability to launch a surprise attack. In this regard it is incorrect to assert that space has already 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a specific military technology, "star wars", and its potential implications on international relations and the risk of nuclear war. The language used is technical and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is likely from a formal document or a speech. The focus on the strategic and military aspects of the technology suggests that the text is primarily related to international relations and security.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations