Review (PDF) The Case For U.S. Nuclear Weapons In The 21st Century
This book is a counter to the conventional wisdom that the United States can and should do more to reduce both the role of nuclear weapons in its security strategies and the number of weapons in its arsenal. The case against nuclear weapons has been made on many grounds—including historical, political, and moral. But, Brad Roberts argues, it has not so far been informed by the experience of the United States since the Cold War in trying to adapt deterrence to a changed world, and to create the conditions that would allow further significant changes to U.S. nuclear policy and posture.Drawing on the author's experience in the making and implementation of U.S. policy in the Obama administration, this book examines that real world experience and finds important lessons for the disarmament enterprise. Central conclusions of the work are that other nuclear-armed states are not prepared to join the United States in making reductions, and that unilateral steps by the United States to disarm further would be harmful to its interests and those of its allies. The book ultimately argues in favor of patience and persistence in the implementation of a balanced approach to nuclear strategy that encompasses political efforts to reduce nuclear dangers along with military efforts to deter them.
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Stanford Security Studies (December 9, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0804797137
ISBN-13: 978-0804797139
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #223,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #119 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Nuclear #403 in Books > History > Military > Strategy #405 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Security
This book is not easy to read, but it is useful if you can get through it. Since it was also written by a former Obama official--who favored keeping our nuclear option--I thought it worthy of reading. He also changed my mind about keeping the triad intact, even though it might be expensive to do. It is necessary at the present time given the hostility exhibited by Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and the volatile Mid East area in general. I conclude that the author< Brad Roberts, does in fact make the case for the US to continue to possess the Triad of nuclear weapons it currently has. However, he also makes the case that to keep a credible nuclear defense for both ourselves and our allies, we must modernize our nuclear warheads , our missiles , and our bombers since neither Russia , North Korea, Iran, or China seem willing to forgo, reduce their stockpiles, stop improving, or eliminate their respective nuclear weapons, as the case may be. What I did not like about the book though is the writing style. It was too bureaucratic, and tome like in style, division, and character. It simply was not reader friendly. And no pictures, other than the awesome cover with a stealth strategic US bomber (B1 or B2 ?) , I forget which is which. Nonetheless explanation of the "Red theory of victory", a military concept supposedly held by Putin and Kim Jong Un discusses taking provocative political, military, or economic actions even if that might start a a limited nuclear war. Putin and Kim Jong Un think that is a winning viable scenario in world affairs. That concept is VERY disturbing!
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