Tag: Arms Control & Disarmament
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The Myth of German “Kriegstauglichkeit” (War Capability)
Readiness for war is important – si vis pacem para bellum. But those who demand it should look reality in the eye.
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Stop Worrying and Love the Missile
The hesitation of Western decision-makers to deliver certain weapons to Ukraine plays into Putin’s hand and hurts the Ukrainian war efforts.
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Realism or Idealism
Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems are the latest contested development in warfare. This article will examine different approaches to their regulation and how they are incorporated into the framework of International Relations and International Law while also highlighting the ethical and practical debate at the heart of the issue.
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Beyond the Survivability Myth
Many misunderstand military obsolescence, assuming battlefield survivability dictates a system’s relevance. Dmytro Sochnyev attacks that myth, arguing that obsolescence stems from the emergence and availability of superior alternatives, not mere vulnerability. Through historical and modern examples, the author reveals why even “outdated” weapons persist—proving that survivability alone is not the key determinant of military evolution,…
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Counterforce and Countervalue
Counterforce describes the ability to conduct nuclear strikes against militarily relevant targets such as army bases. Counterforce strikes depend on smaller, tactical nuclear weapons. Countervalue describes nuclear attacks against non-military targets such as cities. In doing so, larger strategic nuclear weapons are utilised.
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Nuclear Sharing
Turkey, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Germany participate in NATO’s nuclear sharing. The participating countries have US nuclear weapons stationed on their territory. In case of war, planes from the respective allied air forces will deliver the US bombs to their targets. Critics claim NATO’s nuclear sharing program may violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
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Robert McNamara
Under Kennedy and Johnson, McNamara was US Secretary of Defense. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, McNamara was part of the US Executive Committee, which governed US decision-making. Supporting the Domino Theory, McNamara later oversaw the US engagement in the Vietnam War. Despite being labelled the architect of the Vietnam War, McNamara later expressed regret for…
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Security Dilemma
According to the Security Dilemma, if one state increases its security capabilities, this simulataneously reduces the security of another. Consequently, security-increasing measures lead to a cycle of increased tensions, escalations, or conflicts. This occurs because it is hard to know about other states’ intentions: Do they simple gear up their defence capabilities or are they…
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Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Entering into force in 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons aimed to limit the possession of nuclear weapons while promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy. The treaty only permits the US, USSR (Russia), the UK, France, and China to possess nuclear weapons. In exchange for this exclusivity, the countries with nuclear…
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Offence-Defence Balance
The offence-defence balance is the ratio between the resources belligerents need to conduct offensive or defensive operations. For example, a ratio of 1:4 would indicate that a defender needs one soldier to defend against four attackers. Realists have often sought to use the offence-defence balance to explain how material power can be transformed into actual…