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

CHAPTER 16
<strong>NATO</strong>’S NUCLEAR DEBATE:
THE BROADER STRATEGIC CONTEXT
Leo Michel 1
What purposes are served by U.S. non-strategic
nuclear weapons (NSNWs) in Europe? If those weapons
were reduced in number, consolidated in a smaller
number of Allied basing countries, or eventually
withdrawn altogether, what would be the effects on
Alliance solidarity? Would the resources necessary
to maintain U.S. NSNWs <strong>and</strong> dual-capable aircraft
(DCA) in Europe, along with the capabilities of certain
non-nuclear European Allies to carry out nuclear missions
with their specially configured aircraft, be better
spent on maintaining or upgrading other military
capabilities?
As explained elsewhere in this book, such interrelated
questions are at the core of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization’s (<strong>NATO</strong>) debate over the future
of NSNWs in Europe. But they also are linked to
broader strategic preoccupations within <strong>NATO</strong> headquarters
<strong>and</strong> most Allied governments. For despite
concerted efforts by top officials <strong>and</strong> eminent wise
men, the Alliance is still grappling with dilemmas
that were not resolved by the new Strategic Concept
<strong>and</strong> Lisbon Summit Declaration unveiled in November
2010. Put simply, these concern differing threat
perceptions among the Allies, the demonstrated reluctance
of some to accept the risks <strong>and</strong> burdens of certain
operational roles, <strong>and</strong> the need for Allies to make
hard choices on capabilities during what promises to
be an extended period of defense budget austerity.
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