Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security

The New Era of Counterforce: Technological Change and the Future of Nuclear Deterrence

    Authors:
  • Keir A. Lieber
  • Daryl Press
| Spring 2017

Summary

For decades, nuclear deterrence has depended on the impossibility of a first strike destroying a country’s nuclear arsenal. Technological advances, however, are undermining states’ abilities to hide and protect their nuclear arsenals. These developments help explain why nuclear-armed states have continued to engage in security competition: nuclear deterrence is neither automatic nor permanent. Thus, the United States should enhance its counterforce capabilities and avoid reducing its nuclear arsenal.

Downloads

For more information on this publication: Please contact International Security
For Academic Citation:

Keir A. Lieber and Daryl G. Press, "The New Era of Counterforce: Technological Change and the Future of Nuclear Deterrence," International Security, Vol. 41, No. 4 (Spring 2017), pp. 9–49.

The Authors

Keir A. Lieber

Daryl Press

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
While offsets are imperfect, they may be necessary to reach ambitious short-term environmental goals.
More on Energy
Danielle F. Jung and Dara Kay Cohen argue that lynching emerges when neither the state nor its challengers have a monopoly over legitimate authority.
More on International Security
Western models partly inspired the creation of Special Operation Command and Military Police and the development of private military companies.
More from Russia Matters
Most Viewed

Tags