Nuclear weapons in an uncertain world -- national security implications. Research report, August 1992-April 1993
United States (US) nuclear policy evolution has been characterized by change in response to the dynamics of the international environment. New nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policies are required in response to the evolving international environment. Specific concerns relate to the military, economic and political conditions of an evolving and uncertain world and the root causes of nuclear weapons proliferation. Proposed nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policies are designed to allow the US to engage nations with the necessary freedom of action in political/diplomatic, economic and military spheres. Identifying friend versus foe in permanent and absolute terms will be increasingly difficult for the US in the international environment. This is a result of the high degree of economic interdependency in the world economy and the complex web of political relationships of established and emerging nations. Emerging nations will likely experience turbulence as they transform from command economies and totalitarian governments to open market economies and democratic governments. The turbulence may also impact neighboring existing nations. US vital interests and other interests and their connection with various nations will become more complex. Greater freedom of action rather than entangling alliances will be necessary. Finally, the proposed nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policies are planned to operate concurrently with a policy of engagement to cultivate open market economies, common economic interests and democratic ideals to achieve an end goal of cooperative security among nations. Cooperative security involves the conversion of offensive forces to defensive levels and postures.
- Research Organization:
- Industrial Coll. of the Armed Forces, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7046608
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-276787/9/XAB; NDU-ICAF--93-S56
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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