Nuclear Weapons: The Balance of Terror, the Quest for PeaceSUNY Press, 1. jaan 1986 - 275 pages This is a clear, non-technical and comprehensive study of nuclear strategy and the balance of power. The book is intended for both supporters and opponents of nuclear deterrence--indeed for all who believe that nuclear issues cannot be wished away or laid aside but must be addressed with knowledge, even if this means thinking about the unthinkable. Within a coherent system of thought, this volume addresses the most fundamental issues of our time, such as the first-strike advantage, arms-control agreements, the Star Wars program, the "nuclear winter" hypothesis, and nuclear conflict itself. The book is packed with valuable factual information, including notes, diagrams, illustrations, and appendices. |
Contents
THE BALANCE OF TERROR | 1 |
Mutual Assured Destruction | 7 |
Soviet Postures | 13 |
IS IT NECESSARY? | 28 |
NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND WORLD POLITICS | 38 |
1 | 43 |
3 | 53 |
INTRINSIC STABILITY | 54 |
START INF and the Geneva Negotiations | 114 |
EXTENDED DETERRENCE AND FIRST NUCLEAR USE | 129 |
LIMITING NUCLEAR WAR | 154 |
General and Complete Disarmament by Agreement | 171 |
Political Turbulence Worldwide | 203 |
Postscript on Defences against Nuclear Weapons | 209 |
Adequacy of Existing Capabilities | 218 |
Functional Forms | 227 |
Other editions - View all
Nuclear Weapons, the Balance of Terror, the Quest for Peace A J Cwards,A. J. C. Edwards Limited preview - 1986 |
Common terms and phrases
ability aggression all-out alliance American argument balance of terror ballistic missiles bombers chapter cities civil defence complete disarmament conventional attack conventional forces conventional level counter-city counter-force capabilities counter-force strike credibility crisis Cuban missile crisis dangers decision deploy deployments détente discussed earlier East and West effective deterrence enemy enhance escalation especially firebreaks first-striker's advantage ICBMs important inflict intermediate-range kilotons launch less level of damage massive military targets minimum deterrence MIRVed mutual deterrence NATO NATO's negotiations nuclear arsenal nuclear capabilities nuclear conflict nuclear countries nuclear disarmament nuclear exchange nuclear force level nuclear forces nuclear level nuclear strike nuclear war offensive option perceived possession possible potential aggressor probably problem reduce retaliate risk scenario second-strike capability side side's SLBMs Soviet Union submarines superpowers tensions theatre nuclear forces theatre nuclear weapons threat to stability unacceptable damage unilateral United vulnerable war-fighting capability warheads Warsaw Pact weapon systems West's Western Europe
Popular passages
Page 240 - Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.