Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO.pdf - Program on Strategic ...

distinction between tactical <strong>and</strong> strategic nuclear weapons remain
controversial. For a thorough discussion, see Harald Müller <strong>and</strong>
Annette Schaper, “Definitions, Types, Missions, Risks <strong>and</strong> Options
for Control: A European Perspective,” in William C. Potter,
Nikolai Sokov, Harald Müller, <strong>and</strong> Annette Schaper, eds., <strong>Tactical</strong>
<strong>Nuclear</strong> <strong>Weapons</strong> Options for Control, New York: United Nations
Institute for Disarmament Research, 2000, pp. 19-51; Andrea Gabbitas,
“Non-Strategic <strong>Nuclear</strong> <strong>Weapons</strong>: Problems of Definition,”
in Jeffrey A. Larsen <strong>and</strong> Kurt J. Klingenberger, eds., Controlling
Non-Strategic <strong>Nuclear</strong> <strong>Weapons</strong>: Obstacles <strong>and</strong> Opportunities, USAF
Institute for National Security Studies, Collingdale, PA: Diane
Publishing Co., pp. 39-63.
4. <strong>NATO</strong>, Strategic Concept for the Defense <strong>and</strong> Security of the
Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” November 19,
2010, para. 64, available from www.nato.int/lisbon2010/strategicconcept-2010-eng.<strong>pdf</strong>.
5. <strong>NATO</strong>, Strategic Concept 2010, para. 16.
6. Ibid., para. 17.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid., para. 26.
9. Carl Bildt <strong>and</strong> Radek Sikorski, “Next, the <strong>Tactical</strong> Nukes,”
New York Times, February 1, 2010.
10. It is worth recalling that Turkey hosts B-61 TNWs on its
territory but has no DCA. Its air forces participate in <strong>NATO</strong> exercises
as non-nuclear air defense escort units, rather than a nuclear
strike force (Mustafa Kibaroglu, “Reassessing the Role of US <strong>Nuclear</strong>
<strong>Weapons</strong> in Turkey,” Arms Control Today, Vol. 40, No. 5, June
2010, pp. 8-13). Despite its drastically reduced <strong>and</strong> today minimal
role in nuclear matters, Turkey is openly against the withdrawal
of TNWs from Europe. In the eyes of Ankara, TNWs are important
political weapons to strengthen the link with the United States,
which is considered indispensable for the country’s defense in an
international environment perceived as highly uncertain, also in
consideration of the geopolitical co-location of the country next to
the volatile Middle Eastern region (where the Iranian nuclear pro-
292