MOD 14: Nuclear_Weapons_I_-_Tagged

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to nuclear weapons and US foreign policy discussed in the lecture.

How have nuclear weapons influenced U.S. foreign policy since 1945, and how have they complicated national security?

Since 1945, nuclear weapons have shaped U.S. strategy around deterrence, not defense. The U.S. focuses on preventing war through credible nuclear threats rather than fighting wars directly. Nuclear weapons complicate national security due to their massive destructive capacity, meaning any nuclear conflict could annihilate both sides. Ensuring stability requires managing risks of miscalculation and accidental escalation.

What is the nuclear revolution? What are three ways nuclear weapons differ from conventional weapons?

The nuclear revolution refers to how the invention of nuclear weapons fundamentally changed warfare and national security. Differences: 1. Scale of destruction: Catastrophic damage in seconds; can destroy cities and states. 2. Targets: Focus on civilian populations, not just armies. 3. Nature of victory/defeat: Nuclear war makes both sides losers — total annihilation replaces conventional victory.

Nuclear Revolution

The transformation in warfare caused by nuclear weapons’ ability to destroy entire societies instantly.

What is deterrence, and what are its types? How is deterrence different from defense?

Deterrence: Preventing an attack by threatening devastating retaliation. Types: 1. General deterrence: Ongoing threat to prevent future aggression. 2. Immediate deterrence: Response to a specific imminent threat. Difference from defense: Defense prevents an attack by blocking or defeating it. Deterrence prevents an attack by threatening punishment after it happens.

Deterrence (Nuclear Era)

Preventing attack through credible threats of massive retaliation.

Joseph Nye’s Definition of Deterrence

“Discourage attack through the threat of retaliation.”

Defense (Pre-Nuclear Era)

Protecting territory and civilians through physical military means.

National Security Strategy Shift

Moved from defense to deterrence because nuclear attacks cannot be physically stopped.

What is second-strike capability? What is mutually assured destruction (MAD)? How is MAD based on second-strike capability?

Second-strike capability: Ability to retaliate even after absorbing a nuclear first strike. Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): Condition where both sides possess second-strike capability, ensuring any nuclear war would destroy both powers. MAD depends on both sides maintaining secure, survivable arsenals that guarantee retaliation.

Second-Strike Capability

Ability to retaliate with nuclear weapons even after a surprise attack.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

When both states have second-strike capability, any nuclear war ensures mutual destruction.

Cold War Example of MAD

U.S.–Soviet relationship; both avoided war due to second-strike deterrence.

Under what conditions might nuclear weapons make war less likely? How did this apply during the Cold War?

Nuclear weapons make war less likely when both sides have second-strike capabilities, creating fear of mutual destruction. During the Cold War, the U.S. and USSR avoided direct combat because any confrontation risked nuclear escalation.

Cold War Stability

The U.S. and USSR avoided direct conflict to prevent nuclear annihilation.

Nuclear Peace Hypothesis

The idea that nuclear weapons reduce the likelihood of large-scale war.

Nuclear Weapons and Peace

Paradox: their destructive power discourages wars between nuclear states.

What is the problem of credibility in nuclear deterrence, and why does deterrence depend on credibility?

Credibility problem: Opponents must believe you’ll carry out a nuclear threat even when it seems irrational to do so. Deterrence only works if threats are believable; empty threats undermine security and embolden adversaries.

Credibility Problem

The challenge of convincing others that a nuclear threat would actually be carried out.

What is extended deterrence, and how does it affect credibility?

Extended deterrence: Protecting allies under the U.S. “nuclear umbrella.” It increases the credibility challenge, as the U.S. would have to risk nuclear war to defend another country, making U.S. commitment to allies crucial for global stability.

Extended Deterrence

Using nuclear guarantees to protect allies (e.g., NATO).

How is credibility based on capabilities and resolve?

Credibility is based on: 1. Capabilities: Having enough nuclear power to carry out threats. 2. Resolve: Showing the political will to use it if necessary. Both are needed for credible deterrence, as weapons without will (or vice versa) weaken threats.

Capabilities (in deterrence)

The physical capacity to deliver nuclear retaliation.

Resolve (in deterrence)

The political willingness to act on nuclear threats.

How can states demonstrate credibility in nuclear deterrence?

States can demonstrate credibility through: 1. Brinkmanship: Risking escalation to show seriousness. 2. Tripwire forces: Placing small, vulnerable troops in harm’s way to ensure automatic retaliation. 3. Threat that leaves something to chance: Creating uncertainty that conflict could spiral uncontrollably. 4. Public commitments: Democratic leaders make politically costly statements to reverse, enhancing credibility.

Brinkmanship

Deliberately pushing a crisis to the edge of war to signal seriousness.

Tripwire Forces

Small forward-deployed forces that guarantee escalation if attacked.

Threat That Leaves Something to Chance

Introducing risk or uncertainty to make threats believable.

Public Pronouncements (Democracies)

Open commitments that make backing down politically costly, boosting credibility.

Credibility Through Costly Signals

Actions or statements that impose costs to prove seriousness.

How might national missile defense affect nuclear deterrence stability?

National missile defense systems can undermine deterrence by threatening an adversary’s second-strike capability. This could destabilize MAD, as one side might be tempted to strike first before losing its deterrent power.

National Missile Defense (NMD)

Systems designed to intercept nuclear missiles before impact.

Effect of NMD on Stability

Can destabilize deterrence by undermining mutual vulnerability.

What is nuclear proliferation?

Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons technology to new states or actors. Risks include increased chances of miscalculation or theft, and undermined global stability by multiplying nuclear decision-makers.

Nuclear Proliferation

Spread of nuclear weapons to additional states or non-state actors.

Vertical Proliferation

Expansion of nuclear arsenals by existing nuclear powers.

Horizontal Proliferation

Spread of nuclear weapons to new states.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

First and only use of nuclear weapons in war; demonstrated the destructive potential of atomic bombs.

Tsar Bomba

Largest nuclear bomb ever tested (equivalent to 50 megatons of TNT).

Preventive War Logic

A declining power might attack early to stop a rising threat before it grows stronger.