ABSTRACT
Extended deterrence "extends" in two dimensions: First, to cover threats to one's allies as well as to one's own country and second, to cover nonnuclear as well as nuclear threats. Historically the extended form of nuclear deterrence preceded the narrower form: US possession of nuclear weapons was widely believed to offer protection to Western Europe against the powerful conventional forces of the Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of World War II—when there were no Soviet nuclear weapons. Military commanders will expect nuclear support when it appears necessary on nuclear grounds; they will call for it when in difficulties. National leaders, under appalling stresses, in the fog of war, receiving drumfire of demands for nuclear operations, conditioned like the military to nuclear use, will be under enormous pressure to issue the nuclear release.
