When the weak attack the strong : failures of deterrence / Barry Wolf.

By:

Wolf, Barry M [author.]

Contributor(s):

Publisher: Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 1991Description: ix, 21 pages ; 28 cmContent type:

text

Media type:

computer
unmediated

Carrier type:

online resource
volume

ISBN:

0833018701

Subject(s):

Deterrence (Strategy)

LOC classification:

U162.6 .W65 1991

Online resources:

Online Access

Available additional physical forms:

Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format.

Summary: One potential justification for a thin area missile defense is the increasing proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. However, it has been argued that states possessing such weapons would not attack much stronger states such as the United States and the Soviet Union. This Note examines historical instances of attacks by states against much stronger counterparts. A taxonomy of such deterrence failures is formulated and illustrated with examples. Conclusions are drawn about the applicability of various types of deterrence failure to potential attacks by states possessing weapons of mass destruction against stronger states.

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This research "is being carried out by RAND's Army Research Division, the Arroyo Center"--Preface.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 19-21).

One potential justification for a thin area missile defense is the increasing proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. However, it has been argued that states possessing such weapons would not attack much stronger states such as the United States and the Soviet Union. This Note examines historical instances of attacks by states against much stronger counterparts. A taxonomy of such deterrence failures is formulated and illustrated with examples. Conclusions are drawn about the applicability of various types of deterrence failure to potential attacks by states possessing weapons of mass destruction against stronger states.

Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format.

Description based on print version record.