Future roles of U.S. nuclear forces
Subtitle: implications for U.S. strategy
By: Glenn C. Buchan ... [et al.]
Contributors: Buchan, Glenn C; United States. Air Force
Series: MR (Rand Corporation) -- MR-1231-AF
Publisher: Rand Project Air Force
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 128
Subjects: Strategic forces -- United States; Nuclear weapons -- United States; United States -- Military policy
Other titles: Future roles of United States nuclear forces
Description: Since the end of the  Cold War, the U.S. has reexamined its basic assumptions about foreign policy and instruments of national security policy. This study examines the possible roles of nuclear weapons in contemporary U.S. national security policy
Notes: "Prepared for the United States Air Force."

"MR-1231-AF"--P. [4] of cover

Includes bibliographical references (p. 121-128)
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Nuclear weapons and U.S. security, back to basics: What nuclear weapons do; title: Risks and disadvantages of nuclear weapons; title: Historical legacy; title: Contemporary roles for U.S. nuclear weapons: New security environment; title: Future nuclear threats; title: Other kinds of threats; title: U.S. national security policy; a spectrum of possibilities; title: Abstinence; title: Defense; title: Counterforce and countermilitary operations; title: Deterrence and coercion; title: Potential roles for U.S. nuclear weapons; title: Terror weapons/traditional deterrence; title: Counterforce; title: Special targets; title: Critical military situations; title: Stressing cases; some contemporary comparisons between nuclear and conventional weapons: Strategic nuclear weapons in halting invading armies; title: Halting an army; nuclear weapons; title: Halting an army; smart/brilliant weapons; title: Halting an army; collateral damage possibilities; title: Halting an army; pros and cons of nuclear versus conventional weapons; title: Strategic nuclear weapons in destroying hardened bunkers containing WMD; title: Destroying bunkers; nuclear weapons; title: Destroying bunkers; conventional precision-guided weapons; title: Destroying bunkers; advantages and disadvantages of nuclear and conventional weapons; title: Destroying bunkers; "new" weapons?; title: Strategic nuclear weapons in destroying a deeply buried command and control facility; title: Destroying deeply buried facilities; earth-penetrating conventional weapons; title: Destroying deeply buried facilities; nuclear weapons; title: Destroying deeply buried facilities; collateral damage; title: Destroying deeply buried facilities; nuclear versus conventional weapons for functionally kills; title: Role of nuclear weapons in defense against ballistic missiles; title: Missile defense; nuclear weapon performance; title: Nuclear threat; title: Biological threat; title: Missile defense; collateral damage; title: Missile defense; nuclear delivery options; title: Comparison; the four scenario classes; title: Implications for future U.S. nuclear strategy: Spectrum of nuclear strategic options; title: Abolition; title: Aggressive reductions and "dealerting"; title: "Business as usual, only smaller"; title: More aggressive nuclear posture; title: Nuclear emphasis; title: Some additional comments on deterrence by threat of punishment; title: Maintaining a robust nuclear deterrent; title: Flexible use of nuclear forces; title: Characteristics of nuclear weapon systems; title: Exploiting asymmetries; title: Nuclear proliferation; title: Is "withering away" inevitable?; title: Conclusions