Nuclear Modernization in the 21st Century

A Technical, Policy, and Strategic Review

Aiden Warren, Philip M. Baxter, Aiden Warren, Philip M. Baxter

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780429789144
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

This collection examines the extent to which nuclear weapons modernization has become a significant point of concern and consideration in international security. Recent statements and substantial investments by nuclear weapon possessor states in the upkeep and modernization of their nuclear postures – particularly the United States, Russia and China – illustrate a return of primacy and the salience of nuclear forces in international politics. The upgrading of systems, the introduction of new capabilities, the intermingling of new technologies, and the advancement of new strategic models, are all indicative of their elevation in importance and reliance.

With contributions from leading thinkers in the nuclear weapons domain, this book elucidates the global strategic and policy implications such modernization efforts by the above-mentioned states will have on international security. In unpacking and conceptualizing this developing source of potential (in)security and tension, the collection not only provides a technical context, but also frames the likely effects modernization could have on the relations between these nuclear weapon powers and the larger impact upon efforts to curb nuclear weapons – both in terms of horizontal and vertical proliferation. The chapters have been arranged so as to inform a variety of stakeholders, from academics to policy-makers, by connecting analytical and normative insights, and thereby, advancing debates pertaining to where nuclear modernization sits as a point of global security consternation in the 21st century.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of contributors
• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• List of acronyms
• 1 Introduction
• 2 U.S. modernization efforts and the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review
• 3 Russia’s nuclear modernization
• 4 U.S.-Russian bilateral disarmament
• 5 Chinese nuclear strategy
• 6 U.S. nuclear weapons modernization and the impact on the nuclear nonproliferation regime
• 7 NATO nuclear modernization
• 8 Through a crystal ball, dimly: nuclear modernization’s anticipated effects on International Relations theory
• 9 Modernization a determent to international security
• 10 Modernization as a promoter of international security: the special role of U.S. nuclear weapons
• 11 Afterword
• Index