Sandpiper, but they have been trying to keep up with the Jones. Why else would there be suspected nuclear programs in Iraq (never found, but very easily could have been there), Iran, Syria, North Korea....If that isn't keeping up with the Jones, I have no idea what is! They all know, once they get a nuclear weapon, the US won't touch them. That's the race.
The defense missile shield will be seen as an offensive move to the world. Just like during the Cold War, every "defensive" move by one side was seen as offensive by the other. The Soviets putting missiles in to Cuba was seen as purely defensive on their side but obviously not by ours. The same will be true for this and it will mobilize the "crazies" as you put it to develop technology, nuclear weapons, etc, in order to defend themselves against the US who will be all invincable- which we already are- after its built.
I don't think your analogy stands at all and is a silly at best. The United States is not comparable to ANY other country in that manner. A better analogy might be a tank pointed directly at a crazed gun man. Sure, a hit from a 45 might dent the armor, but the consquences for the gun man are a bit higher....
_________________________
"If fishing is like religion, then flyfishing is high church." -Tom Brokaw