Beyond the Moscow Treaty: Alternative Perspectives on the Future Roles and Utility of Nuclear Weapons
Abstract
This study projects in four steps possible US needs for nuclear weapons in the decade following the end of the Moscow Treaty, which ends on December 31, 2012. First, the study projects seven alternative international security environments that might plausibly emerge in the decade 2013-2022. The general characteristics of each environment that might influence the US nuclear requirements are identified. Second, the study explores the potential nuclear and conventional strategic strike requirements of one of these environments in some detail as it calls for the US to be capable of a particular strategic mission that has drawn increased interest in the post-Cold War world-disarming and defeating an aggressive nuclear-armed rogue state. Third, the study projects a baseline nuclear force posture that appears sufficient for a 2022 international security environment that is much the same as the one the US faces today. Finally, in light of the ways in which each of the seven alternative international security environments differs from the current international security environment, adjustments are made to the baseline nuclear forces to project nuclear requirements for each of the seven alternative security environments. The analysis is described in sufficient detail to allow the reader to alter the many judgments required to carry it out.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA542340
Entities
People
- Brad Roberts
- Victor A. Utgoff
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses