US missile defence strategy

This book is likely to be of particular interest to readers who are new to the topic of ballistic missile defence (BMD), or who, after a period away, wish to catch up with recent developments. In the relatively short time it takes to read it, the book provides a valuable, clear and authoritative assessment of where BMD has got to and of its prospects. It also properly reflects competing views in the literature to give readers a clear understanding of the nature and scope of the contemporary debate. Michael Mayer addresses ballistic missile defence policies at the grand strategic level, noting that threat and strategy are logically linked and asking whether strategic missile defence (MD) goals make sense from a US grand strategic perspective. Chapter two looks at the core concepts that underpin the US approach to missile defence in turn. Reflecting competing views throughout, the chapter identifies defence, deterrence, dissuasion—inducing restraint and thus potentially obviating deterrence—and assurance as core concepts and lays out the factors and thinking that are employed in order to seek to achieve effective defence. Mayer's evaluation of successive policies relies on a wealth of authoritative sources. He takes care to explain terms and concepts in light of the relevant strategic considerations, including the complications associated with the post-Cold War environment

Ballistic missile · Deterrence theory · Economics · Grand strategy · Law and economics · Missile · Missile Defense · Order (exchange · Political science · Scope (computer science · Sociology · Computer Science · Engineering · European and Russian Geopolitical Military Strategies · Law · Military History and Strategy · Nuclear Issues and Defense