Tactical nuclear weapons and NATO / editors, Tom Nichols, Douglas Stuart, Jeffrey D. McCausland.

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

Nichols, Thomas M., 1960-

Stuart, Douglas T.

McCausland, Jeffrey D.

Army War College (U.S.). Strategic Studies Institute

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Tactical nuclear weapons.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 517 pages)

Other Title:

Tactical nuclear weapons and North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Place of Publication:

Carlisle, PA : Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, [2012]

Summary:

NATO has been a "nuclear" alliance since its inception. Nuclear weapons have served the dual purpose of being part of NATO military planning as well as being central to the Alliance's deterrence strategy. For over 4 decades, NATO allies sought to find conventional and nuclear forces, doctrines, and agreed strategies that linked the defense of Europe to that of the United States. Still, in light of the evolving security situation, the Alliance must now consider the role and future of tactical or non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNWs). Two clear conclusions emerge from this analysis. First, in the more than 2 decades since the end of the Cold War, the problem itself -- that is, the question of what to do with weapons designed in a previous century for the possibility of a World War III against a military alliance that no longer exists -- is understudied, both inside and outside of government. Tactical weapons, although less awesome than their strategic siblings, carry significant security and political risks, and they have not received the attention that is commensurate to their importance. Second, it is clear that whatever the future of these arms, the status quo is unacceptable. It is past the time for NATO to make more resolute decisions, find a coherent strategy, and formulate more definite plans about its nuclear status. Consequently, decisions about the role of nuclear weapons within the Alliance and the associated supporting analysis are fundamental to the future identity of NATO. At the Lisbon Summit in Portugal in November 2010, the Alliance agreed to conduct the Deterrence and Defense Posture Review (DDPR). This effort is designed to answer these difficult questions prior to the upcoming NATO Summit in May 2012. The United States and its closest allies must define future threats and, in doing so, clarify NATO's identity, purpose, and corresponding force requirements. So far, NATO remains a "nuclear alliance," but it is increasingly hard to define what that means.

Contents:

pt. I. The historical context of tactical nuclear weapons. The historical context / Richard Weitz

Tactical nuclear weapons in NATO and beyond : a historical and thematic examination / Paul Schulte

U.S. nuclear weapons policy and policymaking : the Asian experience / Elbridge A. Colby

pt. II. Russian perspectives on tactical nuclear weapons. Russian perspectives on tactical nuclear weapons / George E. Hudson

Russian doctrine on tactical nuclear weapons : contexts, prisms, and connections / Jacob W. Kipp

Aspects of the current Russian perspective on tactical nuclear weapons / Leonid Polyakov

Influences on Russian policy and possibilities for reduction in non-strategic nuclear weapons / George E. Hudson and Evgeny Buzhinski

Russian perspectives on non-strategic nuclear weapons / Nikolai Sokov

pt. III. European perspectives. Introduction of European policies and opinions relating to tactical nuclear weapons / Douglas Stuart

The role and place of tactical nuclear weapons : a NATO perspective / Simon Lunn

European and German perspectives / Götz Neuneck

European perspectives / Paolo Foradori

Europe, NATO's tactical nuclear conundrum, and public debate : be careful what you wish for / Nick Childs

pt. IV. American perspectives. American perspectives on tactical nuclear weapons / James A. Blackwell

The role of non-strategic nuclear weapons : an American perspective / Jeffrey A. Larsen

NATO's nuclear debate : the broader strategic context / Leo Michel

Role of nuclear weapons in NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture Review : prospects for change / Guy B. Roberts

pt. V. Arms control as an option. Tactical nuclear weapons and NATO : arms control as an option / James M. Smith

Arms control options for non-strategic nuclear weapons / Steven Pifer

Tactical nuclear weapons and NATO : a conventional arms control perspective / Dorn Crawford

Arms control after START / Malcolm Chalmers

The conventional and nuclear nexus in Europe / Jeffrey D. McCausland

pt. VI. Conclusion. Summing up and issues for the future / Tom Nichols, Douglas Stuart, and Jeffrey D. McCausland.

Notes:

Title from PDF title page (viewed on April 16, 2012).

"April 2012."

Includes bibliographical references.

Other Format:

Print version: Tactical nuclear weapons and NATO.

OCLC:

785832885