Title: A National Policy for Deterring the Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Subject: The purpose of this research project is to analyze how the United States can deter the use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons by proliferant states and non-state actors against our nation, our allies, and our deployed forces.
Author(s): Dale A. Blackburn; Gregory T. Boyette; Robert K. Brannum; Tommy D. Dickson (Faculty Advisor); William M. Napolitano, Jr.; Dwayne R. Turmelle; Elise M. Vander Vennet; Steven C. Williams
DTIC Keywords: BIOLOGICAL WARFARE, CHEMICAL WARFARE, DETERRENCE, MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS, MILITARY CAPABILITIES, MILITARY STRATEGY, NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION, NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Abstract:
Since the advent of the nuclear arms race, the US has developed
and maintained a policy and associated capabilities to deter offensive
use of these weapons against US forces, citizens and allies. With the
end of the Cold War and the proliferation of nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons, the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction has
changed dramatically. The viability of traditional deterrence strategy is
now questionable with respect to these new WMD threats and actors.
However, the military will continue to play a key role in any deterrent
strategy because of the inherent nature of its capabilities. This paper
examines those capabilities and presents recommendations to modify and
strengthen US WMD deterrent strategy.
Chapter 1 describes the post-Cold War international context in which
deterrence must be achieved, limits the scope of the study to the use of
military forces in deterrent roles, and describes the threat currently posed
by WMD. Chapter 2 presents key terms, describes key concepts of
deterrence theory and describes the methodology used to complete the
study. Chapter 3 addresses the spectrum of deterrent capabilities
provided by military forces, ranging from the extreme of a massive
nuclear strike to less lethal options such as Special Operations Forces
employment and defensive systems. Chapter 4 discusses US deterrent
policy, including nonproliferation and the use of military options. Chapter
5 concludes with recommendations regarding the use of military forces
and policies to deter WMD use.