US Nuclear Weapons Policy after the Cold War: Russians, 'Rogues' and Domestic Division

The aim of this book is to examine US nuclear weapons policy since the end of the Cold War. By seeking to provide a thorough understanding of the complex evolution of US policy, the book aims to develop new and valuable insights into the factors affecting policy formulation, a nuanced appreciation of the role and perception of US nuclear weapons in America's defence establishment, and the likely medium- to long-term direction of policy.Nuclear weapons in general and US nuclear weapons policy in particular evoke passionate responses. for some, nuclear weapons are ethically and morally abhorrent. As nuclear weapons proliferate so too do the risks of a crisis escalating into a nuclear conflict. It is therefore incumbent upon the US to lead the international community towards nuclear disarmament. for others, nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence have brought stability to major power relations and massively reduced the prospects for major power war. They cannot be disinvented and it is considered essential that the US prevent unstable governments and terrorist organisations acquiring nuclear weapons whilst maintaining its own credible nuclear deterrent. In fact, the evolution of US nuclear weapons policy has been defined by such competing understandings, as this book seeks to demonstrate.This book will be of much interest to students of US foreign policy, nuclear proliferation, strategic studies and IR in general.Ritchie, Nick is the author of 'US Nuclear Weapons Policy after the Cold War: Russians, 'Rogues' and Domestic Division', published 2008 under ISBN 9780415466264 and ISBN 0415466261.