Avoiding a Crisis of Confidence in the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent

Authors

John P. Caves Jr.

Files

Description

The United States needs to modernize and ensure the long-term reliability and responsiveness of its aging nuclear deterrent force and nuclear weapons infrastructure. It cannot otherwise safely reduce its nuclear weapons, responsibly ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, confidently deter and contain challenges from rising or resurgent nuclear-armed near peers, and effectively dissuade allies and partners from acquiring their own nuclear weapons. Modernization is fundamental to avoiding a future crisis of confidence in the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

Document Type

Policy Brief

Topic(s)

Nuclear Deterrence and Escalation, Defense Policy, National Security

Publication Date

1-2010

Publication

Strategic Forum

Publisher

National Defense University Press

City

Washington, DC

Keywords

U.S. nuclear deterrent confidence, nuclear modernization and reliability, aging in U.S. nuclear forces, nuclear weapons infrastructure, deterrence credibility

Recommended Citation

Caves, John P. Jr., "Avoiding a Crisis of Confidence in the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent" (2010). Strategic Forums. 52.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-forums/52