Nuclear Deterrence in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Cold War for a New Era of Strategic Piracy

by Thérèse Delpech

Deterrence remains a primary doctrine for dealing with the threat of nuclear weapons in the 21st century. The author reviews the history of nuclear deterrence and calls for a renewed intellectual effort to address the relevance of concepts such as first strike, escalation, extended deterrence, and other Cold War-era strategies in today's complex world of additional superpowers, smaller nuclear powers, and nonstate actors.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2012

About the author

Thérèse Delpech (11 February 1948 – 17 January 2012) was a French international relations expert and prolific public intellectual. Thèrese Delpech graduated from the École Normale Supérieure and went on to pass the agrégation of philosophy. During the rest of her career she concentrated on international relations issues. Delpech had been director of strategic studies at the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) from 1997. She served as an adviser to Alain Juppé during his tenure as Prime Minister (1995–1997). She was also a researcher with CERI at Sciences Po, commissioner with the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, and international adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and was "one of France's foremost thinkers on international security." Breaking with many French intellectuals she supported the 2003 American-led intervention in Iraq and had since advocated stronger sanctions against Iran.

She was ranked 81 in the Prospect Magazine 2008 Top 100 Public Intellectuals Poll. In 2012, RAND posthumously published what will perhaps be her last book, a detailed study of decades of RAND literature on nuclear deterrence.

Reviews

[Kameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked her analysis and presentation. She challenges American assumptions and presents insightful ways forward, especially given today's complicated security environment.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, providing a comprehensive description of nuclear deterrence in modern geopolitics. The author, French academic Therese Delpech, examines the evolving challenges of deterrence in the 21st century, using historical precedents to understand current strategic frameworks and analyze emerging threats. Delpech emphasizes the complexities of maintaining strategic stability in a multipolar world. She explains how the emerging “triangle” or “square” deterrence frameworks lack the stability of the post-WWII bipolar world’s two-sided framework. The book also discusses the dangers posed by imbalanced deterrence, with the limited options strong nuclear powers have over weaker adversaries. Delpech emphasizes the need for America’s continued practice of extended deterrence as a means of preventing nuclear proliferation. A great book for understanding the many elements of nuclear deterrence. Highly recommended for those interested in the future of nuclear policy.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional monograph, particularly as transition from nuclear lessons of Cold War to the Second Nuclear Age. Serves as both review and prescient forecast, useful for any class or study on nuclear security and policy.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book that is very topical and current. Ms Delpech does a superb job of comparing the Cold War Nuclear Grand Strategies with current geopolitical realities. She provides a very comprehensive bibliography and supports her points with a plethora of sources dating from the heyday of literature written on nuclear weapons (1950s)through current studies that provide a more comprehensive picture of the current activities of Iran, China, Pakistan, and India. If interested in nuclear strategy and the ongoing debate whether these weapons are needed, this book provides a superb starting point and the bibliography will provide additional must read sources.

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book read for fun, but I enjoyed it enough. Good analyzation of Nuclear Deterrence and its role, past and present.