The Case for U.S. Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century

Brad Roberts's book makes a well-argued case for why nuclear weapons and strategy are still relevant even after the end of the Cold War. His book outlines the threat environments that the United States faces in major theaters of competition and specifies the challenges Washington faces in deterring nuclear threats from adversaries and upholding assurances to allies. While I read this book only six years after publication, and much has changed in US national security since then, the book's lessons and principles are still very much relevant to the present-day. A much-needed handbook for anyone interested in U.S. nuclear policy.

A former DoD official, Dr. Roberts is one of the great thinkers in the United States on nuclear related issues. What Dr. Roberts does in this one value is extremely impressive, a well-thought and well-articulated summation of the importance of nuclear weapons in U.S. security strategy. Anyone working nuclear issues will find something of value in this book, whether the chapters on adversary thinking, U.S. policy formulation, or the extended deterrence relationships with allies abroad. The book is both easily accessible to someone new to the subject matter, or for a seasoned veteran in the nuclear field. A strong recommendation, whatever your personal views on nuclear issues.

Brad Roberts has written a very coherent treatise on the case for nuclear weapons in US national policy. He covers the different challenges we face in various parts of the globe where nuclear weapons exist in varying quantities and threats. His discussion allows the reader to understand how much different nuclear deterrence in the 21st century is from the Cold War MAD doctrine. With the recent adversarial activities in Crimea and the Ukraine it behooves our present and future leaders to study the scenarios they could face. I found the discussion of limited ballistic missile defense to be very helpful in understanding its value against state actors like North Korea. Neither the ultra pro-hawk nuclear weapons advocates nor the global zero community will most likely agree with this book, but it develops the most credible strategy for nuclear weapons in today's world that I have read. Overall a very clearly written and very important book on a subject that has been neglected for the past 25 years.

A great work on the role of nuclear weapons in the 21st century’s evolving security environment.

Compelling and frightening. Having been in that business myself, will nukes become just another part of everyone's arsenal, or the route to Armageddon?

Great insights with even better analysis. A worthy read for any strategic warrior wondering what is our mission in the twenty-first century.

This book is not easy to read, but it is useful if you can get through it. Since it was also written by a former Obama official--who favored keeping our nuclear option--I thought it worthy of reading. He also changed my mind about keeping the triad intact, even though it might be expensive to do. It is necessary at the present time given the hostility exhibited by Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and the volatile Mid East area in general. I conclude that the author< Brad Roberts, does in fact make the case for the US to continue to possess the Triad of nuclear weapons it currently has. However, he also makes the case that to keep a credible nuclear defense for both ourselves and our allies, we must modernize our nuclear warheads , our missiles , and our bombers since neither Russia , North Korea, Iran, or China seem willing to forgo, reduce their stockpiles, stop improving, or eliminate their respective nuclear weapons, as the case may be. What I did not like about the book though is the writing style. It was too bureaucratic, and tome like in style, division, and character. It simply was not reader friendly. And no pictures, other than the awesome cover with a stealth strategic US bomber (B1 or B2 ?) , I forget which is which. Nonetheless explanation of the "Red theory of victory", a military concept supposedly held by Putin and Kim Jong Un discusses taking provocative political, military, or economic actions even if that might start a a limited nuclear war. Putin and Kim Jong Un think that is a winning viable scenario in world affairs. That concept is VERY disturbing! Furthermore, Putin's irrational fear of NATO and our overall economic and diplomatic, military posture, coupled with Chinese upgrades to their respective: nuclear weapons, air force, navy, army, and ballistic missile, satellite , and cyber warfare capabilities-- pose a serious defense challenge to the US, and our NATO allies, plus Japan, and South Korea in the next decade. Our need to develop a better defense strategy, is of paramount importance within the next year.Who among the current crop of presidential candidates from the two major parties would you trust, dear voter, to devise such a plan?Choose carefully when you go to the voting booth in November. Our national security may depend upon your decision.Terry Jennrich

Magnificent book. Dr. Roberts offers a comprehensive policy discussion on the complex challenge of nuclear deterrence given current and future issues of the day. This book is valuable for both defense analysts seeking to learn more about nuclear deterrence and assurance issues as well as for seasoned hands. I was particularly impressed by his discussion on "assuring the United States" which is a topic that one does not generally hear in this community.

Fully satisfied, but sorry not to be allowed to print home best sheets ! And fw to one of my collègue

excellent de la part d'un expert reconnu. ouvrage indispensable pour qui s'intéresse aux problèmes de stratégie nucléaire au XXI eme siècle