Reassuring U.S. Allies in the Modern Era: Avoiding Nuclear Proliferation in Turkey and South Korea
Abstract
This thesis examines the Cold War strategies of deterrence and ally reassurance employed by the United States, focusing on West Germany and Japan, and assesses whether the lessons learned in those studies can be applied to the modern-day cases of Turkey and South Korea. As examples of cases in which the United States successfully leveraged its political and military means to avoid nuclear proliferation, West Germany and Japan offer valuable insight into how Washington can better meet the security needs of Ankara and Seoul to mitigate recent calls for the development of indigenous nuclear weapons programs. Building on historical analyses, this study explores how evolving geopolitical dynamics and regional threats influence Turkeys and South Koreas security perceptions, potentially driving them toward nuclear capabilities. It further suggest show current U.S. foreign policy strategies can be adapted to address the threats faced by these allies while maintaining global nuclear non-proliferation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1225331
Entities
People
- Austin W. Hamilton
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School