The Future of Nuclear Deterrence (Forum) (Viewpoint Essay‪)‬

Re: "Nuclear Deterrence for the Future" (Thomas C. Schelling, Issues, Fall 2006). I add some comments that derive from my work with nuclear weapon technology and policy since 1950. More can be found at my Web site, www.fas.org/RLG/. Adding to Schelling's brief sketch of the attitude of various presidents toward nuclear weapons, Ronald Reagan had a total aversion to nuclear weapons, and Jimmy Carter was not far behind. In both cases, aides and other government officials managed to impede presidential initiatives toward massive reductions of nuclear weaponry. A more complete discussion has just appeared (James E. Goodby, At the Borderline of Armageddon: How American Presidents Managed the Atom Bomb, reviewed by S. M. Keeny Jr., "Fingers on the Nuclear Trigger," in Arms Control Today, October 2006; available at http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2006_10/BookReview.asp).