Germany and the future of nuclear deterrence in Europe. Master's thesis

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6627136

Gunning, E G

The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the unification of Germany have fundamentally changed the politics of security in Europe. This thesis analyzes German perspectives on the international security environment and offers judgments about the probable future role of nuclear deterrence in European security. The thesis begins with a survey of the role of nuclear deterrence in the security policy of the Federal Republic of Germany during the period prior to reunification in 1989-1990. This is followed by an analysis of German views on the West European nuclear powers: the United Kingdom and France. German views on the U.S. nuclear presence and U.S. commitments to Europe are then examined. German views on nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union and the potential for proliferation on Europe's periphery complete the survey. For the short term, Germany will not change its present policies regarding nuclear deterrence in Europe. The German nation is likely to remain preoccupied with the re-unification process for several years, and German politicians are not disposed to seek a debate on nuclear deterrence. The Germans generally consider Britain and France incapable of providing adequate nuclear protection for the Federal Republic in the near term. so the Germans will continue to rely on the United States for a nuclear guarantee. Germany, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), NATO Nuclear Policy, Nuclear Deterrence, Deterrence, Transatlantic Security, European Security, New National Security Strategy, Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear Strategy.

• Research Organization: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6627136
• Report Number(s): AD-A-260378/5/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350100* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
350200 -- Arms Control-- Proliferation-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY
EUROPE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FOREIGN POLICY
FRANCE
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL SECURITY
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
SAFETY
SECURITY
SURVEYS
TREATIES
UNITED KINGDOM
USA
USSR
WEAPONS