Deterring America
Rogue States and the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Examines US foreign policy toward rogue states armed with weapons of mass destruction.

Derek D. Smith (Author)

9780521683135, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 May 2006

210 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.341 kg

'Derek Smith's Deterring America: Rogue States and the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is a solid, well written, contribution to the growing literature on contemporary deterrence matters, utilizing careful research and two significant case studies.' Patrick Morgan, University of California, Irvine

Faced with America's military superiority, many countries are turning to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as a means to deter United States intervention. However, the events of September 11 awakened America to a degree of vulnerability it had never experienced before, making it increasingly unwilling to tolerate such weapons in the hands of unstable and unpredictable regimes. Through theoretical, historical, and prescriptive lenses, this book explores the modern security dilemma created by the twin fears of American encroachment and vulnerability which form a vicious cycle of insecurity that challenges traditional notions of deterrence. Using Iraq and North Korea as case studies, Smith argues that the United States may need to re-evaluate its foreign policy strategies against WMD proliferation, giving renewed attention to defensive measures, negotiated disarmament, interdiction, and perhaps preemption.

Part I: 1. Deterrence in a modern era
2. Deterrence theory and its flaws
Part II: 3. Crisis and conflict with Iraq
4. Deterrence and compellence with North Korea
Part III: 5. Counterproliferation strategies
6. Preemptive and preventive war
7. Establishing a global quarantine against WMD
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Regional studies [GTB]