Overview

Should the United States prevent additional allies from developing atomic weapons? Although preventing U.S. allies and partners from acquiring nuclear weapons was an important part of America’s Cold War goals, in the decades since, Washington has mostly focused on preventing small adversarial states from building the bomb. This has begun to change as countries as diverse as Germany, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, among others, have begun discussing the value of an independent nuclear arsenal. Their ambitions have led to renewed discussion in U.S. foreign policy circles about the consequences of allied proliferation for the United States. Even though four countries have acquired nuclear weapons, this discussion remains abstract, theoretical, and little changed since the earliest days of the nuclear era. Using historical case studies, this book shines a light on this increasingly pressing 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.

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9781538169704

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Reviews

Keck’s historical study of countries that have “gone nuclear” could not be more timely or clear: It is a net deficit to U.S. and international security when allies and partners acquire nuclear weapons. At a time when countries are re-evaluating their non-nuclear status, this book explains why U.S. policymakers must prioritize assuring allies and partners of their security without nuclear weapons. Keck’s book offers a clarion warning against under-valuing the national security benefits of sustaining and strengthening nonproliferation policies and norms while advancing key geostrategic relationships and national security priorities. -- Lynn Rusten, Vice President, Global Nuclear Policy Program, Nuclear Threat Initiative; and former Senior Director for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, White House National Security Council

Keck's historical study of countries that have gone nuclear could not be more timely or clear: It is a net deficit to U.S. and international security when allies and partners acquire nuclear weapons. At a time when countries are re-evaluating their non-nuclear status, this book explains why U.S. policymakers must prioritize assuring allies and partners of their security without nuclear weapons. Keck's book offers a clarion warning against under-valuing the national security benefits of sustaining and strengthening nonproliferation policies and norms while advancing key geostrategic relationships and national security priorities. -- Lynn Rusten, Vice President, Global Nuclear Policy Program, Nuclear Threat Initiative; and former Senior Director for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, White House National Security Council

Author Information

Zachary Keck has worked on nuclear issues across government, think tanks, and media. In Congress, he was a Professional Staff Member for the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including for the Subcommittee on Nonproliferation. Keck has also worked as a researcher at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. He began his career in media, working as the Managing Editor of The Diplomat and The National Interest. Keck has published over 1,000 articles including in the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, CNN.com, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. You can find him on Twitter: @ZacharyKeck.

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