Relationship of strategic and theater nuclear forces
Policies governing the development of nuclear forces and the relationship of strategic and theater forces are examined from five different levels: (1) the hierarchy of 10 levels of potential violence, (2) the military implications at each interface between levels, (3) historical aspects of changes in the way nuclear weapons are viewed, (4) strategic rivalry, and (5) a global challenge. The challenge acknowledges that the Soviet perception differs from the American view as is indicated by the extent of the Soviet civil defense effort. These differences are detailed in terms of specific weaponry and their effect on negotiations to limit strategic nuclear arms. There has been a tendency to avoid the facts of the Soviet nuclear capability and, once faced, to avoid deciding what action to take. The author contends that the appropriate step is to deny the Soviets intercontinental nuclear supremacy by maintaining equivalent levels of force. To do this the U.S. must add strategically based cruise missiles and should consider including gray-area systems to its negotiations. The author also advocates deterrence by the unilateral use of nuclear weapons for self-defense and the use of short-range weapons by both sides on the edge of a battlefield. (DCK)
- Research Organization:
- System Planning Corp., Arlington, VA
- OSTI ID:
- 5402666
- Journal Information:
- Int. Secur.; (United States), Vol. 2:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
ADVERSARIES
CIVIL DEFENSE
FORECASTING
FOREIGN POLICY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
MISSILES
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFEGUARDS
SECURITY
USSR
AGREEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVES
WEAPONS
450202* - Explosions & Explosives- Nuclear- Weaponry- (-1989)