Ifri’s Security Studies Center has just published the issue #39 of its Proliferation Papers series entitled:

In Defense of Deterrence: the Relevance, Morality and Cost-Effectiveness of Nuclear Weapons

The author, Dr. Bruno Tertrais is a senior research fellow at the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS) and a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Between 2007 and 2008 he was a member of the French presidential commission on the White Paper on Defense and Security, as well as a member of the French ministerial commission on the White Paper on Foreign and European Policy.

In 2010, he was awarded the Vauban Prize for his entire work. He is the author, among many other publications, of “War Without End” (New York: the New Press, 2005).

Summary of the article:

Since 1945, nuclear deterrence has frequently been the target of continuous criticism on strategic, legal and moral grounds. In the past five years, however, the renewed debate on nuclear disarmament has been accompanied by an increase in such criticism. The alleged limited value of nuclear weapons vis-à-vis proliferation and terrorism, and the existence of alternatives such as high-precision conventional means and missile defense, have strengthened some of these arguments against nuclear deterrence. This Proliferation Paper attempts to offer a proper defense of nuclear deterrence, by reaffirming its validity as a war-prevention mechanism and by responding to the main criticisms that it faces. Finally, it reasserts the fact that maintaining and nurturing nuclear deterrence should remain a primary objective of Western governments.

Contents:

Introduction

Nuclear Deterrence Works

Nuclear Deterrence is Neither Immoral nor Illegal

Nuclear Deterrence is Cost-Effective

Nuclear Deterrence Remains Fully Relevant

The paper is available for download here.

Your comments are more than welcome!

Ifri’s Security Studies Center has recently published the issue #38 of its Proliferation Papers series entitled:

Intelligence and Nuclear Proliferation: Lessons Learned

The author, Keith A. Hansen is a consulting professor of international relations at Stanford University and Sierra Nevada College. As an expert on strategic nuclear force issues, he served for over three decades with the US Government in both military and civilian assignments.

Summary:

Intelligence agencies play a fundamental role in the prevention of nuclear proliferation, as they help to understand other countries’ intentions and assess their technical capabilities and the nature of their nuclear activities. The challenges in this area remain, however, formidable. Past experiences and the discoveries of Iraq’s WMD programs, of North Korean nuclear weapon program, and of Iranian activities, have put into question the ability of intelligence to monitor small, clandestine proliferation activities from either states or non-state entities. This Proliferation Paper analyzes the complex challenges intelligence faces and the various roles it plays in supporting national and international nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and reviews its track record.

The paper is available for download here.

Your comments are more than welcome!

Ifri’s Security Studies Center just published the issue #34 of our Proliferation Papers series. Having tackled the US North Korea policy, we remain focused on Asia with this new paper on the Chinese Nuclear Posture:

Chinese Perceptions of the Utility of Nuclear Weapons. Prospects and Potential Problems in Disarmament

The author is Jing-dong Yuan, Director of of the “East Asia Non-Proliferation Program” at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, in Monterey. [...]

Ifri’s Security Studies Center has just released a new issue of the Proliferation Papers electronic series :

North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Development: Implications for Future Policy, authored by Jonathan D. Pollack, professor at the U.S. Naval War College. [...]