Issue 2 — 2025
What We’ve Been Reading (and Re-Reading) at CGSR Lately
Weapons in Space: Technology, Politics, and the Rise and Fall of the Strategic Defense Initiative by Aaron Bateman (2024). In this book, Aaron Bateman draws from recently declassified American, European, and Soviet documents to give an insightful account of SDI, situating it within a new phase in the militarization of space after the superpower détente fell apart in the 1970s. In doing so, Bateman reveals the largely secret role of military space technologies in late–Cold War US defense strategy and foreign relations. In contrast to existing narratives, Weapons in Space shows how tension over the role of military space technologies in American statecraft was a central source of SDI's controversy, even more so than questions of technical feasibility. Consequently, Weapons in Space carries the legacy of SDI into the post–Cold War era and shows how this controversial program continues to shape the global discourse about instability in space—and the growing anxieties about 21st-century space arms race (336 pages).
Confronting Armageddon: Wargaming Nuclear Deterrence and its Failures in a U.S.-China Conflict Over Taiwan by Mark Cancian, Matthew Cancian, and Eric Heginbotham (2024). This study examines nuclear dynamics in a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. What creates the greatest pressure for nuclear weapons use in such a conflict? What happens if nuclear weapons are used? This project employed a modified US-China wargame to include nuclear wapons. The greatest pressure for nuclear use came when China teams reached a crisis: their invasion of Taiwan was in danger of a defeat that might threaten Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. To dissuade China from gambling for resurrection – using nuclear weapons to salvage a failing conventional campaign – U.S. diplomacy was much more important than nuclear brinksmanship (115 pages).
Influence Without Arms: The New Logic of Nuclear Deterrence by Matthew Fuhrmann (2024). How does nuclear technology influence international relations? While many books focus on countries armed with nuclear weapons, this volume puts the spotlight on those that have the technology to build nuclear bombs but choose not to. These weapons-capable countries, such as Brazil, Germany, and Japan, have what is known as nuclear latency, and they shape world politics in important ways. Offering a definitive account of nuclear latency, this book navigates a critical yet poorly understood issue. It identifies global trends, explains why countries obtain nuclear latency, and analyzes its consequences for international security (356 pages).
The Language of Deception: Weaponizing Next Generation AI by Matthew Hutchens (2024). This book explores multiple foundational concepts, the psychology of deception, considerations of machine sentience and consciousness, and the history of how technology has been weaponized in the past. With this grounding, Hutchens examines topics related to the emerging risks of advanced AI technologies including, employing Large Language Models (LLMs) for social manipulation, disinformation, psychological operations, deception and fraud. Hutchens delivers decisive look at how contemporary and future AI can and will be weaponized for malicious and adversarial purposes (400 pages).
Articles
“The 2023 Strategic Posture Commission Report From a Japanese Perspective” by Masashi Murano (2025). The article examines the 2023 Strategic Posture Commission report from a Japanese perspective, focusing on U.S. extended deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. It highlights the need for the U.S. to enhance its strategic posture to address the challenges posed by China and Russia, emphasizing the importance of theater-focused nuclear capabilities, such as forward-deployed SSBNs and aerial patrols by bombers. The article discusses the limitations of Dual-Capable Aircraft (DCA) in the region and suggests alternatives like the development of a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM-N) or an intermediate-range nuclear prompt strike (IR-NPS) system. It also underscores the significance of integrating U.S. and allied conventional capabilities, improving homeland defense, and enhancing consultation mechanisms between the U.S. and Japan to ensure credible deterrence (10 pages).
“Dual-Use is a Strategy, Not a Category (Nor a Trap)” by Gene Keselman and Fiona Murray (2025). This article discusses the concept of dual-use technology, which refers to technologies that can serve both military and civilian purposes. The authors argue that dual-use should be viewed as a strategic approach rather than a rigid category, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in market strategy for startups. They highlight the challenges and opportunities of navigating both commercial and defense markets, noting the need for a shared language and understanding across these sectors. The article also introduces the Dual-Use Readiness Levels™ framework developed at MIT to help startups effectively transition between commercial and defense markets. Through examples like Tomorrow.io and iRobot, the authors illustrate how companies can successfully implement dual-use strategies, ultimately advocating for a strategic rather than categorical approach to dual-use technology to foster innovation and address significant challenges (2 pages).
“Escaping Paralysis: Strategies for Countering Asymmetric Nuclear Escalation” by Even Hellan Larsen (2024). This paper explores the strategic dilemma faced by nuclear-armed states, termed "substrategic paralysis," where they are deterred from engaging in lower levels of conflict due to an adversary's asymmetric escalation threat. Larsen develops a typology of four strategies that nuclear weapon states can employ to escape this paralysis: countervalue punishment, conventional pause, damage limitation, and tit-for-tat strategies. The article examines historical and contemporary cases, including the Soviet Union's response to NATO's flexible response strategy, India's approach to Pakistan's asymmetric escalation, and the United States' strategy against Russia and China. It highlights the evolving nature of nuclear deterrence strategies and the importance of understanding these dynamics to mitigate nuclear escalation risks (37 pages).
“Why South Korea Should Go Nuclear: The Bomb Is the Best Way to Contain the Threat From the North” by Robert E. Kelley and Min-Hyung Kim (2024). The article discusses South Korea's increasing consideration of developing its own nuclear weapons in response to the growing nuclear threat from North Korea and uncertainties surrounding the U.S. commitment to its defense. Historically reliant on the U.S. nuclear umbrella since the 1953 defense alliance, South Korea now faces a dual challenge: North Korea's advancing missile capabilities and the potential return of Donald Trump, whose past criticisms of the alliance raise doubts about U.S. intervention in a conflict. Public support for nuclearization in South Korea has surged, with 71% favoring the idea, while political elites show more openness than ever. However, U.S. opposition to nuclear proliferation remains a significant barrier. The article argues that a nuclear-armed South Korea could enhance its self-sufficiency and security, ultimately benefiting both South Korea and the U.S. by allowing Washington to focus on broader regional challenges (18 pages).
“A “Nuclear Umbrella” for Ukraine: Precedents and Possibilities for Postwar European Security” by Matthew Evangelista (2024). This article explores the challenges of Ukraine’s future security policy, particularly the role of NATO membership and nuclear deterrence. While some argue for NATO’s protection under the U.S. nuclear umbrellas, others express concerns about the reliability and risks of extended nuclear deterrence, particularly in light of potential escalation scenarios. The article hightlights the 1961 Berlin Crisis as an example of Soviet military strategy could escalate tensions even against U.S. nuclear threats. Finally, this article aims to address the security dilemma and efforts to deter Russian nuclear aggression while minimizing the risks of escalation (43 pages).
What we’re re-reading given its importance today
Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision by Roberta Wohlstetter (1962). "Pearl Harbor: Warning and Decision" by Roberta Wohlstetter examines the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, focusing on the failures of intelligence and decision-making that contributed to the surprise assault. Wohlstetter analyzes the various warnings and signals that were available to U.S. military and political leaders prior to the attack, arguing that these warnings were often misunderstood or disregarded due to cognitive biases and organizational shortcomings. She emphasizes the importance of effective communication and the need for a more systematic approach to intelligence analysis. Through her detailed investigation, Wohlstetter highlights the complexities of interpreting intelligence and the critical role it plays in national security, ultimately advocating for reforms to improve future decision-making processes (446 pages).
Arms and Influence by Thomas Schelling (1966) "Arms and Influence" by Thomas Schelling explores the complex interplay between military power and diplomatic strategy during the Cold War era. Schelling argues that the possession of nuclear weapons and other forms of military capability not only serves as a deterrent but also shapes international negotiations and conflicts. He emphasizes the importance of credible threats and the psychological aspects of warfare, suggesting that the ability to influence adversaries often relies more on the perception of power than on its actual use. Through a series of case studies and theoretical insights, Schelling illustrates how states can leverage their military capabilities to achieve political objectives, highlighting the intricate balance between coercion and diplomacy in global affairs (336 pages).
Extended Deterrence and the Prevention of War "Extended Deterrence and the Prevention of War" by Paul Huth (1991) explores the concept of extended deterrence, which refers to a state's commitment to defend its allies against aggression, thereby preventing conflict. Huth analyzes the conditions under which extended deterrence is effective, emphasizing the importance of credibility, communication, and the perceived resolve of the deterring state. He argues that successful extended deterrence can reduce the likelihood of war by reassuring allies and dissuading potential aggressors. The book also examines historical case studies to illustrate how extended deterrence has shaped international relations and conflict dynamics (238 pages).
What We’ve Been Reading (and Re-Reading) at CGSR Lately
Chip Wars by Christopher Miller (2022). Microchips have become the critical resource underpinning modern military, economic, and geopolitical power, with America's historical dominance in chip design and manufacturing now being challenged by competitors, especially China. Chris Miller's "Chip War" highlights how the U.S.'s slipping control over chip production has led to a global chip shortage and a new Cold War, emphasizing the need to understand the pivotal role of semiconductors in today's world (464 pages).
Kill Chain by Christian Brose (2020). Christian Brose's book highlights the urgent need for the US military to adapt to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to counter growing threats from rivals such as China and Russia. It emphasizes the importance of building a battle network that enables rapid threat assessment and decision-making to maintain America's military dominance and prevent future conflicts (320 pages).
Nuclear Deterrence in the 21st Century by Thérèse Delpech (2012). Deterrence remains a key strategy for managing nuclear threats in the 21st century. Thérèse Delpech advocates for updating Cold War-era concepts to address the complexities of modern nuclear actors, including new superpowers, smaller nuclear states, nonstate actors, and emerging domains like outer space and cyberspace (196 pages).
“Political Drivers of China's Changing Nuclear Policy” by Tong Zhao (2024). The report underscores that despite the 2021 virtual summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, little progress has been made in nuclear dialogues, with China emphasizing the need to stabilize political relations first. It argues that China's nuclear expansion is driven by political considerations under Xi Jinping, and recommends addressing information gaps, exploring behavioral agreements, improving internal accountability, promoting strategic security dialogue, addressing the conventional-nuclear linkage, and empowering experts to mitigate nuclear risks (103 pages).
Articles
“Justifying Attacks on Nuclear Facilities” by Ludovica Castelli & Olamide Samuel (2024). The recent Russian military attacks on nuclear facilities in Ukraine highlight the normalization of such actions despite the prohibitions in the Geneva Conventions. This article examines the historical context and rationale behind these attacks, revealing that lax legal regulation is a deliberate feature of the global nuclear-nonproliferation regime, allowing these practices to persist as a coercive tool (23 pages).
“Playing with Proliferation: How South Korea and Saudi Arabia Leverage the Prospect of Going Nuclear” by Tristan Volpe (2024). Countries leverage nuclear latency by making credible threats to develop nuclear weapons to gain concessions, while also providing assurances of nuclear restraint if their demands are met. This approach involves convincing the United States of their genuine intentions, as seen with South Korea's advanced nuclear capabilities and Saudi Arabia's geopolitical strategies, despite both lacking significant fissile material production capabilities (17 pages).
“The U.S. Department of Deterrence” by Erik Gartzke and Jon Lindsay (2024). Gartzke and Linday explore the concept of "integrated deterrence," a strategic approach that combines various military and non-military tools to prevent conflict by convincing adversaries that the costs of aggression outweigh the benefits. It argues that while integrated deterrence is an ambitious goal, achieving it is complicated by the inherent challenges of synchronizing diverse military capabilities and political objectives. Integrated deterrence is crucial for adapting U.S. national security strategy to emerging global threats, particularly from major powers like China. Understanding its complexities helps policymakers balance military readiness with effective deterrence, ensuring that defense strategies align with political and strategic goal (13 pages).
“Access Denied? Non-Aligned State Decisions to Grant Access During War” by Emily Ellinger (2024). Ellinger explores the complex decision-making processes of neutral states during large-scale conflicts, focusing on Greece in World War I and Sweden in World War II. It highlights how these nations navigated the pressures of political survival, economic repercussions, and retaliation risks when deciding whether to grant military access to belligerent powers. Understanding these historical cases provides valuable insights into how neutral states balance conflicting pressures during wartime, offering lessons for modern strategic decisions and negotiations. By analyzing these past instances, the study helps inform current and future policies regarding military access and neutrality in international conflicts (15 pages).
“Imagining the Endgame of the U.S.-China Rivalry” Michael J. Mazarr (2024). This article argues that while the U.S.-China rivalry is intense and ongoing, history shows that such strategic competitions eventually end. It suggests that American policy would benefit from developing a clear vision of how this rivalry might conclude, balancing vigorous competition with a long-term strategy for eventual resolution. By envisioning potential endgames for the U.S.-China rivalry, the article encourages a more strategic approach that could avoid endless conflict and guide policy toward a stable and constructive future relationship. This perspective aims to reduce the risk of perpetual confrontation and help shape a more manageable and predictable course for U.S.-China interactions (15 pages).
What we’re re-reading given its importance today
The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy by Lawrence Freedman (1983). The book traces the evolution of nuclear strategy from the inception of the atomic bomb through various phases of Cold War dynamics, technological advancements, and geopolitical shifts, culminating in contemporary issues of nuclear proliferation and the return of great power politics. It explores themes such as deterrence, arms control, and the strategic doctrines of major nuclear powers, while questioning the feasibility of a coherent nuclear strategy in the modern era (472 pages).
“The Security Dilemma in Alliances Politics” by Glenn H. Snyder (1984). The "security dilemma" concept is explored in the context of alliances in both multipolar and bipolar systems, highlighting the challenge of balancing support for allies with fears of entrapment or abandonment. This dilemma is further complicated by the need to choose between firmness and conciliation towards adversaries, with historical and contemporary examples illustrating its effects. Understanding the security dilemma in alliances is crucial because it influences how countries navigate their relationships with both allies and adversaries. In multipolar systems, the dilemma is more pronounced, leading to greater constraints on allies' policies, while in bipolar systems like NATO, its relative weakness helps explain ongoing conflicts and strategic tensions (35 pages).
