Work

Politically unthinkable? The missing dimension of nuclear use scenarios

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Nuclear deterrence strategies are predicated on nuclear use scenarios. However, as nuclear weapons haven’t been used since 1945, why does use occur in scenarios but not in practice? If scenarios incorporated the political challenges of crossing the nuclear threshold, how would this change the utility of the deterrence strategies they support? To address these questions, this article examines Cold War-era American debates about a Soviet ‘first strike’, discusses the limits of technical critiques of nuclear use scenarios, and argues for an alternative approach to scenario design and criticism that includes political factors observable in crises and wars involving nuclear states.

Source: European Journal of International Security

DOI: 10.1017/eis.2024.29

Author: Jeffrey H. Michaels

Institution: Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear Issues and Defense

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450