Publication

This brief discusses the available options for a NATO limited nuclear strike capability and the corollary issues they involve (military effectiveness, escalation control, burden sharing, cost effectiveness, etc.). Overall, the text’s author believes the options have merit, but he has a distinct preference – a short-range, air-to-surface nuclear-armed cruise missile that would be delivered by NATO dual-capable aircraft. Such a weapon would 1) provide a credible response to a limited Russian nuclear strike, and 2) link European security to US strategic forces at acceptable economic and diplomatic costs.