European University Institute Library

The logic of American nuclear strategy, why strategic superiority matters, Matthew Kroenig

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The logic of American nuclear strategy

electronic resource

dictionariesbibliography

1015264286

Matthew Kroenig

Oxford scholarship online.

why strategic superiority matters

What kind of nuclear strategy and posture does the US need to defend itself and its allies? According to conventional wisdom, the answer to this question is straightforward: the US needs the ability to absorb an enemy nuclear attack and respond with a devastating nuclear counterattack. These arguments are logical and persuasive, but, when compared to the empirical record, they raise an important puzzle. Empirically, we see that the US has consistently maintained a nuclear posture that is much more robust than a mere second-strike capability. How do we make sense of this contradiction? Scholarly deterrence theory argues that the explanation is simple - policymakers are wrong. This work takes a different approach. Rather than dismiss it as illogical, it explains the logic of American nuclear strategy.--, Provided by publisher

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