Arms Control and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: How Will They Impact U.S. Deterrence in the New World Order?

Abstract

In the absence of a superpower balance, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are rapidly proliferating. As U.S. defense resources shrink, options to address the new WMD threat are also shrinking. These dynamics are changing the role of Arms Control (AC) and U.S. deterrent strategy. This paper analyzes the relationship between proliferation of WMD, AC, and the status of U.S. deterrent forces in the new world order. It argues that motives to proliferate are to strong to be overcome by AC, but that AC can play a positive role in improving U. S. and International security. Further it argues that regardless of its efficacy that AC is unavoidable; and that U.S force structure decisions are driven by our perception of the threat, not AC agreements or actions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA308813

Entities

People

  • Randy R. Beckman

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Arms Control
  • Arms Control Treaties
  • Biological Weapons
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Governments
  • International Organizations
  • International Security
  • Middle East
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • War Colleges
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Strategic Security Studies