Comparative Book Review: 21st Century Approaches to Deterrence
Abstract
The 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review notes that, despite profound changes in the international environment, the concept of deterrence still has relevance for the twenty-first century. However, it must be updated to reflect the new realities of the post-Cold War world, particularly the new actors which the United States may need to deter. While deterrence during the Cold War became nearly synonymous with the nuclear standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, deterrence in the 21st century must deal with a variety of situations and adversaries, and will involve all kinds of military and other coercive elements, not just strategic nuclear forces. Of particular concern is the emergence of rogue states seeking to acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missile delivery systems, as well as the threat of terrorists or other non-state actors acquiring and using WMD. This poses a significantly different challenge for deterrence than did the relatively stable and well-defined Cold War relationship between the superpowers. Two recently published books take up the challenge of thinking about deterrence in this new security environment, and provide a sobering assessment that deterrence will be much more difficult and uncertain than it was during the Cold War.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA442422
Entities
People
- Elise M. Vander Vennet
Organizations
- National War College