On US Nuclear Deterrence

Many Americans and some in the US military will never have the opportunity to be educated on the nuclear deterrent--will not ever find time to ponder why we have it or to understand what its utility is today and in the future. However, understanding the essence of nuclear deterrence is important reg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Strategic studies quarterly : SSQ 2017-12, Vol.11 (4), p.2-14
Main Author: Chilton, Kevin P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air forces
Arms control & disarmament
Bomber aircraft
Bombings
Cold War
Cold wars
Cruise missiles
Design engineering
Intercontinental ballistic missiles
International aspects
Methods
Military air strikes
Military aircraft
Military aspects
Missiles
Nuclear deterrence
Nuclear weapons
Policy Forum
Profession
Threats
United States foreign relations
Weapons
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Summary:Many Americans and some in the US military will never have the opportunity to be educated on the nuclear deterrent--will not ever find time to ponder why we have it or to understand what its utility is today and in the future. However, understanding the essence of nuclear deterrence is important regardless of one's military service, branch, or career field because nuclear weapons are the ultimate guarantor of US military power and security, and understanding how they fulfill this role should be fundamental to any practitioner of the profession of arms. Between the US and Russia the credibility of each respective deterrent force is well understood. Both face an existential threat to this day, which is held at bay by similar stakes and risks. The strategic nuclear relationship is stable because there is no huge imbalance in strategic forces, nor is there a particular vulnerability either side has that would invite the other to strike first.
ISSN:1936-1815
1936-1823