Future Roles of U.S. Nuclear Forces: Implications for U.S. Strategy

This study examines the possible roles of nuclear weapons in contemporary U.S. national security policy. The United States has a range of nuclear strategies and postures among which to choose: from abolition of U.S. nuclear weapons, aggressive reductions and "dealerting," "business as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policy File 2003
Main Authors: Buchan, Glenn C, Matonick, David, Shipbaugh, Calvin, Mesic, Richard
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Military strategy
Nuclear weapons
RAND Corporation
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:This study examines the possible roles of nuclear weapons in contemporary U.S. national security policy. The United States has a range of nuclear strategies and postures among which to choose: from abolition of U.S. nuclear weapons, aggressive reductions and "dealerting," "business as usual, only smaller," more aggressive nuclear posture, to nuclear emphasis. The nation should have the operational flexibility to in fact use a modest number of nuclear weapons if the need were overwhelming and other options were inadequate.