Research Summaries

Back Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control Agreements between three Peer Adversaries

Fiscal Year 2022
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Lan, Wenschel D.
Crook, Matthew R.
Newman, James H.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary This research will investigate the implications of China as a peer nuclear armed adversary and how this effects US deterrence strategy that has traditionally been concerned with bilateral deterrence between the USA and Russia.

The introduction of a third peer nuclear armed nation adds significant complexity and dynamics that were not present before. China has not been party to previous nuclear arms control agreements and they have been developing their nuclear capabilities at a faster pace than any other nation. However, they have committed to the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty and a policy of no first use. It is vital to understand what motivates Chinese leadership, and what would cause them to voluntarily engage in arms control agreements with the purpose of adding stability to nuclear deterrence between the three nations.

This research will help understand these issues, as well as offer recommendations to modify US nuclear deterrence to better deter and stabilize deterrence between the US and China while maintaining effective deterrence between the US and Russia. Also, the power dynamics between China and Russia must also be understood to help implement policies to support, and avoid mistakes that could undermine, deterrence between them.

Keywords: Nuclear Deterrence, Strategic Deterrence, Space domain, cyber domain, crossdomain, China, Russia
Keywords Arms Control China Nuclear Deterrence Russia Strategic Deterrence
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal