THE U.S. today is engaged in not one, but two nuclear arms races. Its first and overriding concern, of course, is to deter Soviet aggression and to be capable of massive retaliation if the Russians should attack the West. Washington's second aim, however, is less strategic than political; it could be called the theory of the massive placebo, since its primary purpose is not to deter the foes of the U.S. but to mollify its friends and discourage the proliferation of nuclear arms. By last week, U.S. placebo planners had succeeded only in frustrating and perplexing the very allies they hoped...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
