Much better, he said, to rely on defense - an impenetrable space-based shield.

The two sides are still apart on some key verification issues, as well as on American development of a space-based anti-missile shield.

Given this number of warheads on each side, it is possible, at least in theory, to create a space-based nuclear shield.

Pearson developed a space-based solar shield to counteract global warming and control Earth's climate, and multi-winglets for improved aircraft performance.

Mr. Dole said that Israel could also serve as a "key partner" in the development of the President's proposed space-based shield against incoming missiles.

The President remains particularly committed, the aide added, to more money for a space-based shield against missiles.

One was to bamboozle the Soviet Union into spending billions of rubles it could ill afford on a space-based shield of its own.

That is, the United States would have a nuclear sword and a space-based nuclear shield.

Mr. Bush reaffirmed his commitment to the "Star Wars" program to develop a space-based anti-missile shield.