The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy: Why Strategic Superiority Matters

Bridging the Gap

by Matthew Kroenig

For decades, the reigning scholarly wisdom about nuclear weapons policy has been that the United States only needs the ability to absorb an enemy nuclear attack and still be able to respond with a devastating counterattack. This argument is reasonable, but, empirically, we see that the US has always maintained a nuclear posture that is much more robust than a mere second-strike capability. In The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy , Matthew Kroenig challenges the conventional wisdom and explains why a robust nuclear posture, above and beyond a mere second-strike capability, contributes to a state's national security goals. In fact, when a state has a robust nuclear weapons force, such a capability reduces its expected costs in a war, provides it with bargaining leverage, and ultimately enhances nuclear deterrence. Buoyed by an innovative thesis and a vast array of historical and quantitative evidence, this book provides the first coherent theoretical explanation for why military
nuclear advantages translate into geopolitical advantages. In so doing, it resolves one of the most-intractable puzzles in international security studies.

Genres: Military Fiction, Politics, Political Science, International Relations, Science, Professional Development, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy covers a potentially fascinating as well as a critical area of today's political international concerns. I say 'potentially' because Matthew Kroenig, though undoubtedly knowledgeable of the topic, wrote this book along the lines of a college textbook on actuarial statistics ! The material, validity notwithstanding, is presented in a dry and repetitive manner. Kroenig attempted to cover a vast canvas of information in a compressed frame. The result is vague and rather one-sided arguments that lack the color of detail and human drama that they demand. For example, covering the Cuban Missile Crisis in three pages or the modern Iranian nuclear issue in a similar scant length speaks to my point. Beyond the limited coverage of these and other topics in Kroenig's book what he does spend ink on is unduly wasted in ceaseless repetition. Matthew Kroenig is without question an authority on The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy, (just not a particularly gifted writer). As such I would heartily recommend this work as a STARTING POINT for anyone interested in the topic.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A provocative contribution from a next-gen scholar to the revival of debate about nuclear strategy." -Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government, Harvard Kennedy School

Matthew Kroenig's comprehensive research, analysis, and conclusions provide a compilation of insights and information that policy makers and military leaders must understand. This book should be required reading for policy makers, strategists, and military leaders, as well as students of military strategy and international affairs.
Cecil Haney, former Commander US Strategic Command

Matthew Kroenig has provided an innovative and counter-intuitive study of why nuclear superiority might matter and why practitioners of both political parties have gravitated consistently towards it even as academic theorists have argued that it doesn't matter. This is an agenda setting book that will be debated by scholars and policy-makers for years to come.
Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

Contrary to much that has been written on the subject, in this provocative new study Matthew Kroenig argues that the United States can attain, and should seek, meaningful military superiority over other nuclear-armed states. This is an important statement of a controversial position that deserves to be read and debated by both policy makers and political scientists.
Aaron Friedberg, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University

Matthew Kroenig's nuanced analysis is original and draws on a wide range of literature on nuclear strategy, crisis bargaining, weapons proliferation, arms races, deterrence and compellence. He offers a novel "superiority-brinkmanship synthesis theory" to explain the logic of America's nuclear strategy, informed by academic research, practical concerns, and behaviors of policy makers.
J. P. Smaldone, CHOICE

[Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of recent work in this area, fails to pair "hard" facts, with an appropriate mathematical model. This is true for the material in this book, making it's value more limited, in the sense it is hard to really reason through, what the author is driving at. Such modelling work is not difficult, the formalism is also, not difficult to apprehend (of source some basic training in game theory or logic might be needed).

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this cover to cover for work. It's a solid read. Impressive research design, execution could be improved. Will be a significant contributor to the nuclear force debate for the foreseeable future.

[Jack Tarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great articulation of what nuclear weapons intuitively offer to national security strategy.

[Nicholas Kokolakis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, too statistical / masters paper for my liking as a book. I wasn’t a huge fan. Decent read though. Ultimately, it did not change my understanding / thoughts on the use of nuclear weapons.