ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the evolution of nuclear deterrence as an element of the relationship between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia since the end of the Cold War. It considers the myriad understandings of what deterrence is, and how nuclear deterrence, conventional defence and other levers of power can contribute to a coherent deterrence strategy. The chapter shows how the theories are applied by NATO and Russia in the context of the 2010 Alliance Strategic Concept; followed by a detailed consideration of the practical application of deterrence messaging. The Alliance relies on the strategic forces of the Allies, in particular those of the US, for the ultimate guarantee of its security. Each NATO nuclear weapon state has specific interpretations of 'how' deterrence works. The chapter concludes that Allies reduced the salience of nuclear deterrence in their thinking, substantially due to domestic imperatives.
