Avoiding Self-Deterrence in the Context of Nuclear Ambiguity

Volume V in the SMA Perspectives Series “Emergent Issues for U.S. National Security”

Editors: Dr. Lawrence Kuznar (NSI, Inc.), Dr. Belinda Bragg (NSI, Inc.), Dr. Hriar “Doc” Cabayan (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Nathan Heath (NSI, Inc)

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The context of this Report has to do with Russia’s use of nuclear ambiguity and implied nuclear threats leading up to and after its invasion of Ukraine—specifically, threats to escalate to the use of low-yield nuclear weapons to support conventional offensive operations for political or economic gains. It examines the implications of Russia’s behavior beyond the Ukraine conflict, in particular, what lessons might other actors have taken away from the Ukraine war regarding the utility of threatening the use of low-yield nuclear weapons. We have intentionally cast a wide net to include a diverse set of perspectives on a range of actors. More specific questions of interest for this volume include, among others:

• the contours of Russia’s coercion mechanism, ultimate goals, and the subsequent emergence of new norms;
• lessons learned by various observers, such as the role of nuclear weapons, self-deterrence, and the subsequent emergence of new partnerships;
• China’s decision to field a substantial nuclear capability and the possibility of nuclear use in the event of a Cross-Strait conflict;
• what the United States and Japan should do to enhance the credibility of deterrence against China and how to reduce Chinese incentives to use military force; and
• the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK’s) embrace of a new Cold War paradigm and its break with past strategic ambiguity.

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The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

About the SMA Perspectives Series “Emergent Issues for U.S. National Security”

The Joint Staff and the United States military adhere to the maxim that effective strategy formulation starts with a proper diagnosis of the environment. This is particularly true when the operational environment has high levels of interactive complexity across various domains. In these settings there are no easy choices, but we know from centuries of experience that the best plans are informed by thoughtful, disciplined exploration of ideas and diversity of thought. In pursuit of this axiom, the volumes in the SMA Perspectives Series are a concerted effort to harvest the informed opinions of leading experts but do not represent the policies or positions of the U.S. government. Our hope is that the ideas presented in this series expand the readers’ strategic horizons and inform better strategic choices.

Volume I: Present and Future Challenges to Maintaining Balance Between Global Cooperation and Competition

Volume II: US versus China: Promoting ‘Constructive Competition’ to Avoid ‘Destructive Competition’

Volume III: Emerging Strategic & Geopolitical Challenges: Operational Implications for US Commands

Volume IV: U.S. Command Perspectives on Campaigning in Support of Integrated Deterrence