Nuclear Deterrence

The specter of Russian tactical nuclear de-escalation strikes, more sophisticated Chinese ballistic-missile submarines, and intercontinental North Korean capabilities all raise the stakes for nuclear deterrence. US policy makers must decide which nuclear posture will allow the United States to credibly deter nuclear war while assuring its allies and partners across the globe.

Our nuclear deterrence work

Nuclear strategy project

The Scowcroft Center is proud to play a central role in crafting an effective and nonpartisan strategic forces policy for the twenty-first century.

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Content

Past events

Feb 26, 2018

The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy
Arms Control China

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2018

Reviewing the Nuclear Posture Review: Here’s what you need to know

By Atlantic Council

US President Donald J. Trump’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) calls for enhanced deterrence and a larger nuclear arsenal. The administration released the new review on February 2. Outlined in the strategy is Trump’s decision to pursue a path toward augmenting nuclear capabilities against the backdrop of increasing tensions with North Korea—as it moves ever closer […]

National Security Nuclear Deterrence

Issue Brief

Nov 29, 2017

Northeast Asian futures

By Robert A. Manning

The great Asian paradox is that a region steadily becoming more economically integrated is filled with distrust, competing nationalisms, and territorial disputes in the security realm. This is epitomized by Northeast Asia and the North Pacific: the region features the world’s three largest economies; three of the largest militaries; three of the five declared nuclear […]

China Defense Policy

Report

Nov 15, 2017

Asia in the “Second Nuclear Age”

By Gaurav Kampani and Bharath Gopalaswamy

It is now a truism among foreign and defense policy practitioners that the post Cold War nuclear buildup in the India Pacific region constitutes the drawn of the “second nuclear age.” From the 1990s onward, China’s decision to stir out of its strategic languor and modernize its nuclear arsenal, along with the resolve of India […]

Nuclear Deterrence Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2017

The North Korea nuclear threat and homeland missile defense

By Matthew Kroenig

In order to effectively address the growing tensions posed by North Korean nuclear capabilities, Washington needs a comprehensive strategy that will include a range of efforts, including, importantly, strengthened homeland missile defenses. Last week, US President Donald J. Trump, referring to the North Korean missile threat, claimed that “we have missiles that can knock out […]

Korea Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2017

Washington must respond to Russia’s new nuclear missile

By Matthew Kroenig

The New York Times reported on February 14 that Russia has secretly deployed two batteries of a new nuclear-capable cruise missile in violation of its international treaty obligations. The news is disturbing, but hardly surprising. Unless the United States and its allies respond promptly, the situation is likely only to deteriorate further. Russia’s missile deployments […]

Arms Control Missile Defense

Issue Brief

Nov 15, 2016

Toward a more flexible NATO nuclear posture

By Matthew Kroenig

Over the past decade and a half, Russia has placed an increased emphasis on nuclear weapons in its military strategy and doctrine. Moscow’s assertive “escalate-to-de-escalate” nuclear strategy poses a distinguishable threat to NATO nations, and requires greater strategic thinking about NATO’s nuclear posture.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Issue Brief

Nov 15, 2016

Toward a more flexible NATO nuclear posture

By Matthew Kroenig

Over the past decade and a half, Russia has placed an increased emphasis on nuclear weapons in its military strategy and doctrine. Moscow’s assertive “escalate-to-de-escalate” nuclear strategy poses a distinguishable threat to NATO nations, and requires greater strategic thinking about NATO’s nuclear posture. After a quarter century of reducing its reliance on nuclear weapons, NATO […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Defense Industrialist

Oct 20, 2016

Nuclear buying power

By James Hasik

Who wins and who loses when the Pentagon prohibits exclusive dealing? On October 11, the US Air Force received prospective contractors’ proposals its its Ground-Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD) program, its effort to begin replacing its Boeing LGM-30 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by 2030. The USAF is sufficiently concerned about its choices for cost-effective […]

Defense Industry Nuclear Deterrence

Event Recap

Sep 21, 2016

A conversation with Dr. Sannia Abdullah on Pakistan’s full spectrum deterrence

By South Asia Center

On September 21, 2016 the South Asia Center hosted Dr. Sannia Abdullah, a visiting scholar at Sandia National Labs, for a conversation on Pakistan’s full spectrum deterrence strategy. The discussion was moderated by Distinguished Fellow Mr. Shuja Nawaz. Dr. Abdullah addressed the overarching security calculus upon which Pakistan’s nuclear force posture and stated nuclear doctrines […]

Nuclear Deterrence Pakistan
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Experts

Fellow

Paul Amato

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Missile Defense Nuclear Deterrence

Fellow

Kevin P. Chilton

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Defense Industry

Fellow

Sungmin Cho

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Jonathan Corrado

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Fellow

Akiko Fukushima

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy East Asia
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