Deterrence in the Second Nuclear Age Deterrence in the Second Nuclear Age by Keith B. Payne.
Success can be a dangerous thing.
The truth is, the deterrence challenge has gotten far more complex. Payne convincingly substantiates his position with historical references to World War II as well as the Persian Gulf War, which show the difficulty of wielding the deterrence tool, so simple in theory, in a crisis. Dr. Payne's masterful analysis concludes with a reexamination of ballistic missile defense and a discussion of why a limited defense system is an essential ingredient of America's future security. Military officers and senior civilian leaders involved in the formulation of nuclear strategy and war planning have a compelling need to read and think about this book. The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University.