| ID | 091064 |
| Title Proper | White paper prepared for the secretary of defense task force on DoD nuclear weapons management |
| Other Title Information | tradeoffs and paradoxes, terrorism, deterrence and nuclear weapons |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Helfstein, Scott ; Meese, Michael J ; Rassler, Don ; Sawyer, Reid |
| Publication | 2009. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article was written at the request of the Secretary of Defense Task Force on DoD Nuclear Weapons Management. While this analysis suggests that certain types of terrorists can be deterred from certain types of attacks, it is less optimistic about the use of nuclear weapons in a terrorist deterrent strategy. A broad approach to deterrence may be effective against certain types of terrorist groups and attacks, making it crucially important to disaggregate the terrorist threat when setting policy. The article goes on to address two types of terrorist groups with a "global reach" that pose a serious threat to the United States: non-state actors driven by doctrines permitting catastrophic attacks and state-sponsored groups capable of carrying out catastrophic attacks. The analysis reveals a number of previously unappreciated tradeoffs and paradoxes associated with the deterrence of terrorists. |
| `In' analytical Note | Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Vol. 32, No. 9; Sep 2009: p.776 - 801 |
| Journal Source | Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Vol. 32, No. 9; Sep 2009: p.776 - 801 |
| Key Words | Terrorism ; Deterrence ; Nuclear Weapons ; DoD Nuclear Weapons Management ; United States ; Non-State Actors |