Between Scylla and Charybdis: Theater Nuclear Forces in Europe.

Abstract

This thesis, which examines the issue of nuclear weapons in Europe, is divided into two major parts. The first traces the history of nuclear weapons and doctrine associated with NATO and the Warsaw Pact from 1945 through 1985. Drawing on this historical perspective, the second part critically examines current conventional and nuclear force structure and doctrine. Briefly, it concludes that NATO's approach to nuclear force structure and doctrine might be charitably labled 'ad hoc'. In view of present and projected Warsaw Pact conventional and nuclear capabilities, the credibility of flexible response suffers accordingly. To remedy this situation, a series of recommendations are made, the gist of which are: adoption of a mobile conventional defense; removal of battlefield nuclear weapons from Europe, and the enhancement of the survivability of theater strategic systems while seeking the ultimate elimination of theater nuclear weapons on both sides through arms control talks. Keywords: Theater Nuclear Weapons (TNW); Theater Nuclear Forces (TNF); Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA156144

Entities

People

  • C. W. Dossel

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Power
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fusion Weapons
  • Geography
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Bombs
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Rockets
  • Short Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Treaties
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies