Debunking the Damage Limitation Strategy
The findings and recommendations of the Strategic Posture Review Commission will likely influence President-elect Obama's decisions vis-à-vis nuclear weapons policy and military defense strategy in important ways. A number of conservative think tanks and associated commentators have written to the Strategic Posture Review Commission advocating adoption of a "damage limitation strategy" to reduce U.S. vulnerability to nuclear weapons. The idea of limiting damage if the United States suffered a nuclear attack is very compelling, but it is also unworkable and would undermine efforts to reduce the nuclear threat in the first place, as we discuss in more detail in this memorandum to the members of the Congressional Strategic Posture Review Commission.
