But Reagan wanted SDI in 1983, so this seems to be cyclic? Presidents think they can protect their country with an exotic bit of technology which only serves to disrupt the détente. Though Ronald did begin the discussions about the START Treaty at about the same time; maybe SDI was an encouragement.
Since the 1960s, missile defense advocates have been deeply uncomfortable with the mutual societal vulnerability nuclear deterrence requires, preferring to champion costly technological solutions to a fundamental political problem that promise invulnerability without sacrificing our nuclear offense.