Nuclear Deterrence is Here to Stay
Abstract
In the most recent National Security Strategy President Bush has stated that deterrence doesn't work. The latest Nuclear Posture Review, completed in December 2001, proposed the tenets of Nuclear Deterrence to be: downsize the nuclear force level to 1700 - 2200 weapons, develop smaller yield weapons, and preempt if necessary. Additionally, President Bush supports developing a national missile defense system to protect the U.S. homeland. In my paper, I will offer the thesis that nuclear deterrence has kept us from going to major war with a peer since the inception of nuclear weapons, and is still vital to our national security. Additionally, I will argue that a national missile defense system may enhance our security against rogue states, but can not replace nuclear weapons; that terrorist and non-state actors can be deterred through deterrence by denial; that we should develop smaller yield nuclear weapons (despite large infrastructure concerns), and that we should NOT reduce the size of our nuclear arsenal to that of a minor nuclear power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA414501
Entities
People
- John J. Welsh
Organizations
- United States Army War College