Nuclear Weapons, Strategy, and Control

Course Description

This course explores nuclear weapons, strategies for their use, and efforts to control their spread and use. Students will learn about the origins of nuclear weapons, the technology underlying the weapons and their delivery systems, and varying ways of thinking about their use and limitations, including the core concept of nuclear deterrence. This will include reading and actively working through concepts developed by some of the foundational thinkers in nuclear strategy. The course will look at the role of nuclear weapons in the Cold War, in the post-Cold War world, and ongoing issues associated with current day conflicts and competitions under the nuclear overhang. This includes examining Russia’s latest nuclear doctrine and threats in the war in Ukraine, nuclear issues underlying Israel-Iran competition and clashes and the nuclearization of the broader Middle East, the recent rapid growth in China’s nuclear arsenal, U.S. nuclear policies and modernization, North Korea’s growing capabilities, and the Indian-Pakistani nuclear dyad (or triad if you consider China-India dynamics). Each regional or country-specific set of nuclear issues will be used to examine a particular nuclear issue, theory, strategy, and/or use. Class will include at least one policy decision-making activity. In addition to readings and discussion, class will also rely on multimedia resources such as movies, documentaries, audio/video of real-world events, and podcasts. No previous knowledge or coursework on military security or strategy issues is necessary.

Code

SA.502.197

Credits

4

Subject

Security, Strategy and Statecraft