Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Nuclear weapons and the Atlantic Alliance

Journal Article · · Foreign Aff.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/20041171· OSTI ID:5233384

Four leaders of past administrations re-examine the Atlantic Alliance policy based on US willingness to use nuclear weapons to defend Europe: a policy that originated when US superiority was clear, but which now threatens both our political relations with the Alliance and world safety. A review of current realities and the potential for nuclear catastrophe suggests a no-first-strike doctrine. The impact this would have on the Alliance's deterrent posture will be felt most strongly by the Federal Republic of Germany, which depends solely on the nuclear umbrella. It will be necessary to rebuild confidence in conventional weapons and to resolve political divisiveness before renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons. Discussions can begin in both public and private sectors to examine questions of survivability and second-strike forces and to reduce the present reliance on nuclear weapons. (DCK)

OSTI ID:
5233384
Journal Information:
Foreign Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Aff.; (United States) Vol. 60:4; ISSN FRNAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English