ABSTRACT
Nuclear strategy encompasses three elements: the strategic purpose that the nuclear arsenal is intended to accomplish; the strategic policies that are, at least theoretically, designed to accomplish those strategic purposes; and the strategic force design or programs to support policies. There are two quite different ways in which the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons could deter aggressors from the use of either conventional or tactical nuclear forces. First, such deployments could help convince the aggressor that its battlefield costs would be too high. This approach assumes that tactical nuclear weapons could be used effectively. Second, the aggressor would have to calculate that any nuclear weapon use will likely escalate to strategic nuclear war. In assessing program decisions involving nuclear weapons, it is essential to ask if the political implications of a new tool may not be more important than the technical military capabilities.
