About this episode

Paul Amato discusses the role of theater nuclear weapons in U.S. deterrence and strategic stability.

In this episode of NucleCast , Adam sits down with Paul Amato for an in-depth discussion on the role of theater nuclear weapons in maintaining U.S. deterrence and strategic stability. Drawing on historical lessons from the Cold War and examining today's evolving security environment, they explore why low-yield nuclear capabilities remain an important component of U.S. defense strategy. The conversation examines Russian and Chinese nuclear approaches, the development of low-yield nuclear options in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, and the operational realities of deploying and sustaining theater nuclear forces. Amato explains how capability diversity, alliance assurance, and extended deterrence contribute to strategic stability and why maintaining credible options across the escalation spectrum is critical to deterring adversaries. They also discuss common misconceptions about low-yield weapons, the importance of capability symmetry, and what the future nuclear force structure may require as global threats continue to evolve. Paul Amato is the Principal Advisor for Strategic and Nuclear Deterrence at CNA. He is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft…

People in this episode

Host: Adam

Guest: Paul Amato

Topics covered

• theater nuclear weapons
• U.S. deterrence
• strategic stability
• low-yield nuclear capabilities
• nuclear deterrence policy
• global security environment

Keywords

• theater nuclear weapons
• deterrence
• low-yield nuclear capabilities
• nuclear posture review
• strategic stability
• escalation spectrum

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CNA, Atlantic Council, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy

Places: U.S., Russia, China

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