Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century (Washington Quarterly Readers) [Paperback]

Alexander T.J. Lennon (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0262621665 | ISBN-13: 978-0262621663 | Edition: 1

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in the hands of both states and terrorist networks, is considered by many to be the greatest threat to global security today. Contemporary Nuclear Debates discusses the key issues surrounding that threat.The book is divided into four parts. Part I, "US National Missile Defense: When and How?" presents an overview of the missile defense debate and examines the merits of different deployment systems, such as sea-based, space-based, and boost-phase. Part II, "Global Perceptions of Missile Defense," goes beyond the standard debate about the risks and benefits of missile defenses to examine the specific potential reactions of major countries, including China, India, Iran, Japan, and Russia. Part III, "Do Arms Races Matter Anymore?" asks which countries, if any, have the capability to conduct an arms race with the United States, whether any country would choose to do so, and what weapons a country might build in response to a US missile defense deployment. Part IV, "Is Arms Control Dead?" discusses the circumstances under which arms control is useful today, new principles upon which it can be based, and new visions for its future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an interesting and provocative collection of essays that address a once-forgotten, now all-too-relevant set of issues. This volume will be required reading for those with a serious interest in arms races, arms control, and missile defense."--Steven Miller, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"The distinguishing feature of this volume is its bringing together of an expert group, both American and foreign, to present a broad array of informed, critical analyses of some of the most pressing issues in international security today."--Mitchell B. Reiss, Dean of International Affairs, College of William and Mary

"Contemporary Nuclear Debates updates the strategic framework within which decisions about the role of nuclear weapons should be made. These three questions--what missile defense system should the U.S. deploy? Do arms races matter anymore? Is arms control dead?--are the central ones that need to be addressed. Today's and tomorrow's strategic thinkers will be informed by this comprehensive set of answers, representing American and global views on all sides of these critical debates."--John Hamre, President, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense

"For those tired of the old arguments--welcome to the new arguments. No matter what your position, Contemporary Nuclear Debates is a treasure trove of informed analysis and new thinking on some of today's most critical issues."--Joseph Cirincione, Director, Carnegie Endowment Non-Proliferation Project

"One of the tremendous ironies of the post-Cold War world -and an important focus of this book - is that the United States and the Russian Federation may face a greater threat today than we did at the height of the Cold War."--Senator Richard Lugar

"Could missile defense and arms control advance the US and international security in the new century? Contemporary Nuclear Debates is a remarkable contribution to the current deliberation"--Dingli Shen, Professor and Deputy Director, Center for American Studies, Fudan University, China

"Contemporary Nuclear Debates succeeds admirably in presenting a wide range of views on traditional nuclear questions recast in the current international environment. Especially noteworthy is its treatment of the potential impact of a limited US national missile defense."--Dean A. Wilkening, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University

About the Author

Alexander T. J. Lennon is editor in chief of The Washington Quarterly, the journal of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He is the editor of The Epicenter of Crisis: The New Middle East (MIT Press, 2008) and other Washington Quarterly Readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1 edition (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262621665
• ISBN-13: 978-0262621663
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a still-dominant US, July 4, 2006

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This review is from: Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century (Washington Quarterly Readers) (Paperback)

In light of current events in Iran and North Korea, this book is certainly germane. It asks in part what types of arms races might occur between the US and other countries, and who those might be. What is striking about the book is how dominant the US is, compared to the Cold War, when there was a real feeling that it might not be able to maintain a parity with the Soviets.

Of the countries discussed, only the Russians have the ability to destroy the US. And the book helps keep this in perspective, when considering the capabilities of so-called rogue nations, or those of terrorist groups.

On the topic of being able to intercept a few incoming ballistic missiles, there is sadly little substantive detail about the American ability. Highly classified. Still, hundreds of billions of dollars must have been spent since Reagan began SDI. It would be nice to have some accurate inkling of what all that money bought.