November 20, 2008

Missilethreat.com

IWG Report 2007

  
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century.  »»

Search


Search MissileThreat.com or go directly to a list of authors, or news by date or subject.

Home :: News Archive

Print This

Payne: Low Yield Nukes Important Deterrent

May 17, 2004 :: National Review Online :: Analysis

Writing for National Review Online, former deputy assistant Secretary of Defense Keith Payne argues that low yield nuclear weapons are invaluable to maintaining America’s deterrent, and offer a host of smaller and cleaner retaliatory options. There is no reason nuclear weapons need be an untouchable and unthinkable taboo—and such concepts only cloud more hard-headed strategic thinking. Technological advances in more precise targeting have eliminated the need for larger weapons; smaller, more accurate devices can deliver the same effect when delivered more closely to their target. Payne persuasively points out that the decision to use nuclear weapons would still be be guided by the most extraordinary strategic political circumstances, and for this reason no mystical or special character of nuclear technology should stand in the way of their development. Smaller nuclear weapons only broadens the options at the disposal of a commander in chief. (Article)

Home :: News Archive

 

Powered by eResources.com