Nuclear Weapons and Coercive Escalation in Regional Conflicts: Lessons from North Korea and Pakistan

Abstract

Nuclear weapons may create greater space for smaller powers to engage in coercive attacks and even limited military operations at lower levels of escalation. This study explores this phenomenon through examination of two case studies: North Korea and Pakistan. The paper addresses key trends and current thinking on nuclear deterrence, reviews recent research on nuclear weapons and coercion, develops testable hypotheses based on this literature, and explores these questions through analysis of North Korean and Pakistani nuclear capabilities, strategy, and doctrine, as well as instances of coercive escalation by both countries. The paper concludes by identifying common themes across the two cases and drawing implications for U.S. policy and military strategy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA614958

Entities

People

  • Afshon Ostovar
  • Jerry Meyerle
  • Ken Gause

Organizations

  • CNA ANALYSIS AND SOLUTIONS ALEXANDRIA VA

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Case Studies
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • International Security
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • South Asia
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space