Atomic Friends: How America Deals with Nuclear-Armed Allies

The United States should prevent additional allies from developing atomic weapons to maintain its Cold War goals and address the consequences of allied proliferation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The United States has long been a proponent of preventing additional allies from developing atomic weapons, as part of its Cold War goals. However, in recent decades, Washington has shifted its focus to preventing small adversarial states from building the bomb. This has led to renewed discussion in U.S. foreign policy circles about the consequences of allied proliferation for the United States. While four countries have acquired nuclear weapons, this discussion remains abstract, theoretical, and little changed since the earliest days of the nuclear era.

To address this issue, Keck examines the impact that acquiring nuclear arsenals had after our allies developed them. He examines existing and recently declassified documents, original archival research, and—for the Israel and especially Pakistan cases—interviews with U.S. officials who worked on the events in question.

The book highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and the motivations behind nuclear proliferation. It argues that the United States should take a more proactive approach to preventing allied proliferation, including by providing incentives for non-proliferation and by engaging in diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of nuclear ambitions.

One of the key challenges facing the United States in preventing allied proliferation is the changing nature of the global security landscape. As new technologies and threats emerge, the United States may need to adjust its approach to ensure that its allies are not vulnerable to nuclear attack.

Another challenge is the potential for nuclear weapons to fall into the hands of non-state actors, such as terrorist groups. The United States has a strong interest in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to these groups, as they could use them to cause catastrophic damage.

To address these challenges, the United States should work closely with its allies to develop a comprehensive strategy for preventing allied proliferation. This strategy should include measures to improve security cooperation, to provide incentives for non-proliferation, and to engage in diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of nuclear ambitions.

In conclusion, the United States has long been a proponent of preventing additional allies from developing atomic weapons, but in recent decades, Washington has shifted its focus to preventing small adversarial states from building the bomb. This has led to renewed discussion in U.S. foreign policy circles about the consequences of allied proliferation for the United States. To address this issue, the United States should take a more proactive approach to preventing allied proliferation, including by providing incentives for non-proliferation and by engaging in diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of nuclear ambitions. By doing so, the United States can help to ensure that its allies are not vulnerable to nuclear attack and that nuclear weapons are not used to cause catastrophic damage.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538169704