Strategic Forces for Deterrence

Nuclear weapons have proven effective at preventing conflicts. In the wake of the Cold War, however, the role of these weapons and the concept of deterrence are being reexamined. Today deterrence requires a full, diverse set of options which are flexible and effective against a range of threats. Moreover, they must be readily perceptible to a potential enemy. While deterrence may depend more on conventional forces than in the past, the Nation must maintain credible nuclear capabilities into the future. As the United States reduces the size of its nuclear arsenal, care must be taken to guarantee that our capabilities contribute to the credibility and viability of deterrence.