Laser defence system? (Score 1)

This has Dr.Evil written all over it! I had heard that this has something to do with the "star wars" plan. An orbiting laser defense system. Now, seeing as these lasers can be used for more then just defense... for example China gets pissed and launches a nuke. Regardless of the destination the theory behind this laser system is to "stop" air based attacks. So by stopping a nuclear warhead from where it is being launched, destroying the surrounding area and then some, would it be considered an act of "defense"? The only thing using geosynchronized orbit should be communication based. Besides opening up the box to orbital defense mechanisms, and thus creating reason for another cold war, what is the true objective behind all this? I don't deny a possibility of this becoming a global control mechanism. At the same time, I can't stop how many things an orbiting death ray would solve in the right hands.