The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy

Because there is now more available data, the time is right to reexamine some long-held assumptions about whether a significant advantage in nuclear weapons is, in fact, an advantage. Matthew Kroenig offers new theoretical and methodological perspectives in his attempt to do just that. Theoretically, he proposes a synthesis of two theories to argue that nuclear superiority allows for a state to be more aggressive in international crises. Methodologically, he seeks to demonstrate the effect a single independent variable has on multiple dependent variables. Either one of these advances would represent a significant contribution to the literature of nuclear statecraft and compellence. Kroenig combines both in a thorough and compelling work. * Cory Hollon, Air University, Air War College, H-War *
The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy is a major contribution to the national debate about the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security policy. Matthew Kroenig provides penetrating insights into how nuclear posture affects a variety of national security interests and the book is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand this increasingly vital set of issues." -Stephen Hadley, former National Security Adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush
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 and Hertog Practitioner-in-Residence at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
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] 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