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Thinking about the Unthinkable in a Highly Proliferated World

July 29, 2016

ISBN# 978-1-4422-5969-0 (pb); 978-1-4422-5970-6 (eBook)
CSIS/Rowman & Littlefield
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For decades, the United States has led the effort to stem the spread of nuclear weapons, both among potential adversaries and among its allies and partners. The current state of deterrence and of the nonproliferation regime, however, is open to many doubts. What happens if the nonproliferation regime should break down altogether? What happens if extended deterrence should fail, and allies no longer believe in the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella? What happens when the world has not 9 but 11, 15, 18, or even more nuclear powers? This study explores how such a world might function and what it would mean for our present conceptions of deterrence, for the place of the United States in the international order, and for international order itself.

Photo credit: Ultra.F/Getty Images
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Written By
Clark A. Murdock
Senior Adviser (Non-resident), International Security Program
Tom Karako
Senior Fellow, International Security Program and Director, Missile Defense Project
Ian Williams
Associate Fellow, International Security Program
Michael Dyer
Research Intern, International Security Program
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Tel: 202.775.3242

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Media Relations Coordinator, External Relations
Tel: 202.775.3173
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Defense and Security, International Security Program, Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation

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Tel: 202.775.3173

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