chan

The Cold War from a Nuclear Perspective: 

The Cold War from a Nuclear Perspective Elizabeth Chan

Two major consequences:: 

Two major consequences: No wars involving owners of nuclear weapons were safe Previously there were always some powers that enjoyed unconditional viability—nothing could cause its destruction Military strategy shifting from defense to deterrence Strategy previously based on use of weapons moving to dissuading adversary from using nuclear weapons Two major theories of nuclear deterrence that stem from different perspectives

MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION (MAD): 

MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION (MAD) Striking second Targeting people not weapons Deterrence through punishment Second strike weapons would be slower, less accurate, not as powerful Targets of counter value of people not weapons also showed that you weren’t planning to strike first to destroy the other side’s weapons, but that you were ready for a 2nd strike Maintain a clear & convincing capability to inflict unacceptable damage even if attacker strikes first US relied on SAP—speed, accuracy, power Deterrence best achieved by maintaining sufficient number of weapons, capacity to survive first strike, capacity to deliver disabling retaliatory strike

Problems of MAD: 

Problems of MAD 1970s Soviet Union was able to meet the criteria for SAP; differences dissolved Technology improved - the distinction between 1st and 2nd strike began to blur Soviets were beginning to think that with huge buildup of weapons they could win a nuclear confrontation 1977 destroyed theory of MAD…shifted to Nuclear Utilization Theory

Nuclear Utilization Theory (NUTS): 

Nuclear Utilization Theory (NUTS) First strike, Counter force, Active War Fighting NUTS was mainly due to technology involving inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) While MAD relied on finite amount of nuclear power, NUTS allowed for a massive buildup of weapons Basically, deterrence through “damage denial” destroy enemy weapons before they would destroy your own weapons

Summary: 

Summary

Mutual Assured Survival: 

Mutual Assured Survival Strategic Defense Initiative “Star Wars” later changed to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) under the Clinton administration SDI is unique from the earlier U.S. and Soviet missile defense efforts Envisioned using space-oriented basing of defensive systems compared to solely ground-launched interceptors Bright & the Dark

Conclusions Regarding Deterrence: 

Conclusions Regarding Deterrence Kenneth Waltz: theory of bipolarity Two premises: nuclear weapons will forever alter international relations International and domestic politics are not the same Bipolar NOT Multipolar more stable Conflict pursued through crises illustrate health not instabilities With each succeeding crises, increasingly stable End result of Cold War: Secure constant communication “hotline” Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)

Slide9: 

CNN.com road.uww.edu/ROAD/heinricj/GENED140-Global%20Perspectives/GENED140_weapmassdestruc.ppt Dr. Timothy J. Lomperis, POLS 160: Introduction to International Politics October 31 2006 Lecture #16 “The World of Nuclear Deterrence: the Journey from MAD to NUTS and Beyond” http://www.bartleby.com/65/st/StratDI.html