Author Description

Duty to Deter: American Nuclear Deterrence and the Just War Doctrine, by Rebeccah L. Heinrichs, observes that the United States is in a new cold war with two nuclear peers-Russia and China. The possibility of either adversary breaking the nuclear peace is significant. Heinrichs explores the question: can the United States have a modern nuclear deterrence strategy that complies with the Just War Doctrine (JWD)? She concludes that the answer is yes, and that as the United States has sought to increase the credibility of its deterrent over decades, it has moved in better alignment with the JWD. She further argues in today's cold war the United States must maintain the strategy, adapt its nuclear posture, and add better defenses. To go backwards, to target cities, or to fail to expand and adapt the deterrent as the China-Russia threats require, will threaten the credibility of the deterrent, and violate the JWD principles