US Nuclear Doctrine and Post-Cold War Force Structure

Abstract

Abstract : Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War, the US military has undergone significant changes in its global military strategy and its resultant force structure. While some would argue that the impetus for change has been the shrinking defense budget and force reductions, what allowed these changes to occur was the new nature of the world and the realization that the more prevalent conflict of the future will be regional, lower intensity conflict with much more limited aims than those prepared for during the Cold War. President Clinton's November, 1997 signing of new nuclear weapons guidelines suggests that a post-Cold War rethinking of US strategic nuclear doctrine and force structure may be taking place as well. The US must continue this apparent evaluation of doctrine and be prepared to make appropriate force structure changes as doctrine shifts. This paper will examine the foundational importance of doctrine; the doctrinal underpinnings of our current force structure; and the implications of the post-Cold War world on strategic nuclear doctrine and force structure. In addition, based on the lessons we can learn from the Cold War years and the shape of our new post-Cold War world, this paper will address an emerging doctrine and its force structure implications. Chapter one provides background into the issue, defines key terms, and identifies a key assumption upon which this paper is based. Chapter two includes discussions on the nature of doctrine and its importance when fielding new, unique weapon systems. Chapter three discusses the early geopolitical and military influences on, and the evolution of, US Cold War nuclear doctrine. Chapter four reviews post-Cold War development of nuclear doctrine. The last chapter summarizes and reiterates the need for US action to lead the world through the post-Cold War nuclear era.