Military role of nuclear weapons: perceptions and misperceptions

Journal Article · · Foreign Aff.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/20041735· OSTI ID:5611178

McNamara, R S

Mr. McNamara, Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) and World Bank President (1968 to mid-1981), examines many of the controversial issues involved in the public debate about nuclear weapons currently engaged in on both sides of the Atlantic. Fully discussed is the role of tactical nuclear weapons for the defense of our NATO allies in response to Soviet aggression with conventional forces. It is suggested that NATO's flexible response nuclear option would likely lead to a strategic nuclear exchange between the US and USSR because of the great disparity between Soviet and NATO conventional forces in Europe. It is the author's view that nuclear weapons serve no military purpose whatsoever and therefore they are totally useless, except only to deter the Soviet Union from using them. 25 references.

• OSTI ID: 5611178
• Journal Information: Foreign Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Aff.; (United States) Vol. 62:1; ISSN FRNAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
EQUIPMENT
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATO
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PUBLIC POLICY
WEAPONS