Deception and deterrence: the theater nuclear balance in a conventional war. Student essay
The unprecedented buildup of Soviet conventional and nuclear forces has created a dilemma for the West to successfully adhere to the strategy of deterrence with a flexible stop the Soviets conventionally or face the likely prospect of a strategic nuclear response. The author postulates that through the use of the lost art of deception, coupled with dedicated offensive actions to destroy Soviet theater nuclear systems, the USSR can be placed in a perceived position of theater nuclear inferiority and, therefore, war can be terminated on terms favorable to the West. There is a plethora of successful examples of the use of deception in the history of warfare and the Soviets are masters of the use of this low-cost high-return combat multiplier. Research also indicates that there are few viable systems rather than air power available to the theater commander to attack and destroy Soviet theater nuclear assets and in all cases, it is a high risk venture with a very iffy chance of success. However, future initiatives such as force modernization, the Strategic Defense Initiative, arms reduction talks and others may make this concept more attractive.
- Research Organization:
- Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5271505
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-168469/5/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
NATO's theater nuclear forces: a coherent strategy for the 1980s
Prospects for nuclear deterrence in a changing Europe. Student project report
Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990100* -- Management
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
CONVENTIONAL WARFARE
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
MILITARY STRATEGY
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
USSR
VIABILITY
WARFARE