U.S. Nuclear Strategy: Focus on "Intent"
Abstract
Reviewing the massive nuclear capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union causes me to ponder what can be done to diminish the threat of global destruction. Must we live under threats too abhorrent to ponder? Is there no other method to deterrence than escalating power of destruction and mutually assured destruction? After studying nuclear strategy and contemplating the ramifications of massive nuclear destruction I concluded there is room for divergent thinking on the subject. The rapidly changing international context may afford the opportunity for new initiatives to decrease the threat to the environment, to civilization, and increase the sense of nuclear security. Any strategy of deterrence must be credible and effective. To be credible it must be plausible in its approach to preserving the interests of the nation. Effectiveness is the more difficult test, since deterrence is about the future. At any time we can look back and see the result of a strategy of deterrence, but we can never look into the future to test its validity. Since deterrence is a "prevention" strategy focused on influencing future decisions of a potential adversary the direct measurement of success can't be made in the past tense. The best we can hope for is an utmost thoroughness and accuracy in our thinking when composing the strategy of deterrence, thus the motive of this paper.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA436997
Entities
People
- R. M. Petersen
Organizations
- National War College