The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review: A return to nuclear warfighting?

Lonsdale, David J.

Abstract

© 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) represents a significant shift in U.S. nuclear weapons policy. Using Cold War vintage theory, this article assesses whether the NPR signals a return to nuclear warfighting. The NPR is assessed against five primary drivers for warfighting strategy: enhanced deterrence; to deal with deterrence failure; to maximize damage limitation; to provide a theory of victory; and adherence to just-war theory. The article concludes that although the NPR represents a step in the direction of warfighting, it does not fully embrace it. This is primarily because the NPR fails to endorse an unrestrained theory of victory.

Citation

Lonsdale, D. J. (2019). The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review: A return to nuclear warfighting?. Comparative Strategy, 38(2), 98-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/01495933.2019.1573074

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 6, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 17, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 4, 2019
• Deposit Date: Feb 12, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 5, 2020
• Journal: Comparative Strategy
• Print ISSN: 0149-5933
• Electronic ISSN: 1521-0448
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 98-117
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01495933.2019.1573074
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1278747
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01495933.2019.1573074