Nuclear Endings: Stopping War on Time

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

If a nuclear war between American and Soviet forces or the forces of their allies were to start, how would it end This soberting analysis, one of the few published treatments of War termination, identifies the policies and strategic issues involved in the attempt to control and end a nuclear war should one ever start. The author presents both a comprehensive overview of the theory of war termination and a broad-based analysis of the specific aspects of the question. Throughout, the aim is to provide policymakers and students of military strategy with a tool for improved strategic war planning that emphasizes the importance of flexibility and durability rather than the current emphasis on damage infliction. Cimbala begins by discussing the compelling reasons for studying war termination, among them the potential deterrent value of such study. He then introduced pertinent issues in the literature of war termination, including the notion of an `agreed battle', escalation control, intrawar deterrence, and coercive diplomacy. The bulk of the study is devoted to a detailed discussion of specific aspects of nuclear war determination. Ih his concluding chapter, Cimbala integrates these aspects into a coherrent theory of nuclear war termination and assesses the potential implications of strategic defenses for American nuclear deterrence strategies.

Reviews

.,."Overall, Cimbala's work is an important contribution that specialists should read. It should be viewed as a supplement to his earlier work entitled Strategic War Termination (New York: Praeger, 1986)...."-The Journal of Soviet Military Studies
...Overall, Cimbala's work is an important contribution that specialists should read. It should be viewed as a supplement to his earlier work entitled Strategic War Termination (New York: Praeger, 1986)....-The Journal of Soviet Military Studies
A great deal of the literature on war focuses either on causes or on initiation. Now a theory is developed on how a nuclear war between superpowers might end. Cimbala sets out the concept that war is a conscious and rational policy carried out by a state's policymakers who take into account a set of goals or objectives that must be measured against the cost and the risks. Determining when a war--even a nuclear one--must be ended for it to be cost effective must be assessed. The author examines the entire theory of war termination and its effect on decisions to employ nuclear weapons. The Soviet views on war and deterrence are also examined, along with the various components of the American defense system, naval engagement, and missile systems. Cimbala concludes that too little is known to allow a sound forecast on how or when either of the superpowers might end a nuclear conflict. Nevertheless, the topic must continue to be studied. Because of the high level of abstraction and theoretical content, this book is best suited for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students of strategic planning or policy processes.-Choice
Steven Cimbala's book provides a thorough analysis of war termination and identifies the political actors and strategic issues that control both conventional and nuclear conflicts.-The Journal of Soviet Military Studies
The author's study of nuclear strategy and conflict termination throughout the 1980s resulted in a number of publications. This book appears to represent the maturation of his work. The author believes conflict termination is a 'study not only of interstate relations during conflict and war, but also of intrastate organizational behavior that might contribute to, or detract from, efforts to bring war to a conclusion.' He notes that the primary reasons for the study of conflict termination are to improve strategic war planning and to stop a war, should one occur, with as little damage as possible. He also believes the study of conflict termination may have some deterrent value and may acquaint leaders with the problems thay may face if deterrence should fail. This is an important subject, even during the present period when peace seems to be breaking out all over. The book is recommended to students of national policy and strategic studies as well as to their professional counterparts.-Infantry
..."Overall, Cimbala's work is an important contribution that specialists should read. It should be viewed as a supplement to his earlier work entitled Strategic War Termination (New York: Praeger, 1986)...."-The Journal of Soviet Military Studies
"Steven Cimbala's book provides a thorough analysis of war termination and identifies the political actors and strategic issues that control both conventional and nuclear conflicts."-The Journal of Soviet Military Studies
"The author's study of nuclear strategy and conflict termination throughout the 1980s resulted in a number of publications. This book appears to represent the maturation of his work. The author believes conflict termination is a 'study not only of interstate relations during conflict and war, but also of intrastate organizational behavior that might contribute to, or detract from, efforts to bring war to a conclusion.' He notes that the primary reasons for the study of conflict termination are to improve strategic war planning and to stop a war, should one occur, with as little damage as possible. He also believes the study of conflict termination may have some deterrent value and may acquaint leaders with the problems thay may face if deterrence should fail. This is an important subject, even during the present period when peace seems to be breaking out all over. The book is recommended to students of national policy and strategic studies as well as to their professional counterparts."-Infantry
"A great deal of the literature on war focuses either on causes or on initiation. Now a theory is developed on how a nuclear war between superpowers might end. Cimbala sets out the concept that war is a conscious and rational policy carried out by a state's policymakers who take into account a set of goals or objectives that must be measured against the cost and the risks. Determining when a war--even a nuclear one--must be ended for it to be cost effective must be assessed. The author examines the entire theory of war termination and its effect on decisions to employ nuclear weapons. The Soviet views on war and deterrence are also examined, along with the various components of the American defense system, naval engagement, and missile systems. Cimbala concludes that too little is known to allow a sound forecast on how or when either of the superpowers might end a nuclear conflict. Nevertheless, the topic must continue to be studied. Because of the high level of abstraction and theoretical content, this book is best suited for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students of strategic planning or policy processes."-Choice

Author Bio

STEPHEN J. CIMBALA is Professor of Political Science at Pennsylvania State University and teaches at its Delaware County Campus, Media, Pa. He has contributed to the field of national security studies for many years and is the author of the recently published Rethinking Nuclear Strategy (1988) and Nuclear Strategy: Unfinished Business (Greenwood Press, 1988).