Busting Myths About Nuclear Deterrence America Does Not Use Nuclear Weapons Nuclear Weapons Have Only Limited Utility For Their Cost Nukes Are Going Away U S Can Deter With Submarines Alone

Author : U. S. Military
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781796476705
Total Pages : 59 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (767 download)

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Download or read book Is There Future Utility in Nuclear Weapons? Nuclear Weapons Save Lives - Strong Arguments Against Nuclear Disarmament, Historical Case Studies and Potential for Future Threats, Need for Deterrent written by U. S. Military and published by . This book was released on 2019-02-09 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This short but powerful report argues strongly against nuclear disarmament. Contents: Is There Future Utility in Nuclear Weapons? Nuclear Weapons Save Lives * 2019 U.S. Intelligence Community Worldwide Threat Assessment.The debate over the future of nuclear weapons has become more prominent each year since the end of the Cold War. The United States leadership is faced with a decision regarding the future of the nuclear weapons program in the face of worldwide proliferation concerns and threats. There are many cogent arguments for disarmament of the nuclear arsenal, specifically focused on cost, international instability and proliferation concerns, the potential for nuclear terrorism, and the credibility of the American deterrent. Those concerns, however, do not overmatch the future requirement of a nuclear deterrent. Nuclear weapons are a cost effective wedge against existential threats facing the United States from Russia and China, as well as a proven deterrent against large-scale great power war, which has been avoided worldwide since the Atomic Age began. The United States must continue to resource the nuclear deterrent and communicate a posture that ensures allies and deters potential adversaries. The threat remains, and the United States must maintain its leadership position to ensure international stability.In the first section, there will be an examination of current arguments in support of nuclear disarmament. There are myriad voices, authors and think tanks pushing an agenda of a global nuclear "zero." Consideration will be given to those who believe nuclear weapons no longer serve a purpose, and who believe the United States should lead the world into nuclear disarmament. Their prevailing arguments will be outlined and analyzed. There are those who argue that nuclear weapons only deter nuclear war. This is the idea that in a world without a nuclear threat, there is no utility for anyone to have nuclear weapons, and the United States should be the world's leader toward disarmament. There are also those who believe nuclear weapons are a cost prohibitive portion of the military arsenal, and that United States' treasure should be spent elsewhere. Third, some believe nuclear weapons create instability in the world, and that nuclear proliferation, particularly among rogue states and/or violent non-state actors, is the greatest threat to US national security in the current day. Effectively, this is the idea that nuclear weapons make the world a more dangerous place. Last, and potentially most important, there are those that support the idea that the American people could never stomach the use of nuclear weapons. It is a credibility argument. Why should the United States have nuclear weapons if it will not use them? With the arguments in support of nuclear disarmament established, an examination in response to each will be offered. The second section of this paper will provide counter arguments to the "views of others" outlined in section one, in turn. First, an analysis of history will examine what the effect of nuclear weapons has been. By reviewing the history of war in the twentieth century, an assessment of the utility of nuclear weapons will be made. Who has nuclear weapons? What has been the effect? Next, there will be a review of the cost of continuing to maintain a nuclear arsenal in relation to large-scale conventional conflict and other American spending. This comparison will shed light on the country's perceived priorities. Third, the idea that nuclear weapons make the world unstable and/or unsafe, leading to greater potential for conflict will be reviewed. There will be a review of historical case studies, potential for future threats and the insinuated effect of nuclear weapons. Last, the argument that the United States will never use nuclear weapons is important.