ABSTRACT
The crux of the horizontal nuclear proliferation problem has been whether it might increase the probability of the use of nuclear weapons. One of the major concerns presented by horizontal nuclear proliferation would be the accidental use of nuclear weapons. Accidental war can be defined as a war resulting from a malfunction of some weapons system or from human error, not including errors in judgement. In the event of further horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons, the quality of crisis management may significantly affect the probability of their use. Even if we assume that the deliberate use of nuclear weapons is very unlikely, mainly because of mutual-assured destruction, there is a higher probability that during a crisis, when all restrictions and safeguards are progressively lifted, nuclear weapons might be used by a field commander without higher authorization or that some other mishap or miscalculation might take place.
