US Nuclear Defense Strategy: A Holistic Approach for the Near and Mid Term
Abstract
Nuclear weapons will threaten U.S. vital interests and future freedom of action through a variety of delivery systems, to include ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, or terrorist delivery through commercial or private vehicle. I propose looking at maintaining future U.S. freedom of action to pursue it's goals through a three-pronged strategy consisting of "attack operations", "active defense", and "passive defense". Attack operations incorporate special operations, precision conventional strikes, and the nuclear deterrent option. Active defense includes the means to interrupt the delivery of nuclear weapons, to include national and theater missile defenses, port entry scanners, and any other developing devices. Passive defense includes a broad area which includes pragmatic arms control, national intelligence activities, application of the full realm of national economic, information, and political means, and ensuring critical national infrastructure not only survive but operate in the event of a nuclear event. The difficult decisions that remain then become how to balance the resources necessary to pursue this holistic strategy. How do we properly prioritize a mix of attack operations, active defense, and passive defense?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391254
Entities
People
- Korey V. Jackson
Organizations
- United States Army War College