| Summary/Abstract |
The article addresses a set of problems pertaining to nuclear deterrence,
strategic stability, and missile defense. The author states that as a derivative
of nuclear deterrence strategic stability can only be applied to military-
strategic relations between Russia and the United States. This concept
“does not work” in all other cases, including the multilateral format of
relations. Nuclear deterrence is more universal and impacts, among other
things, the decision-making process in relatively strong and weak nuclear
states that oppose each other. The effectiveness of nuclear deterrence is
not determined solely by the balance of opposing forces. No less important
is the assessment by a potential aggressor of all the negative consequences
of its decision to strike first, which creates the “self-deterrence” effect that
outweighs even the aggressor’s absolute confidence in the complete military
success of its nuclear attack.
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