The New Germany and Nuclear Weapons. Options for the Future

Abstract

First, this article explores this issue by discussing the historical background regarding German attitudes about nuclear policy-the past German motivations and resulting debates over obtaining nuclear weapons. Second, it examines possible motivations in terms of the changed security concerns brought by the end of the cold war. What are the various security scenarios and plausible options and, in turn, their related effects on German nuclear decisions? Third, this article analyzes the influence of nonsecurity motivations. These motivations may stem from German efforts at producing an integrated political and cultural identity (i.e., political community) as part of the ongoing unification process. Can these nonsecurity aspects also act as an impetus for German desires to become a nuclear power? Last, this article includes overall conclusions and possible policy implications for the United States and the US Air Force.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA529833

Entities

People

  • Mark N. Gose

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Cold War
  • East Germany
  • Europe
  • European Union
  • Germany
  • International Relations
  • Nato
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Security
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.