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Paper Tigers Jeffrey G. Lewis (Monterey Institute of International Studies, USA)

Paper Tigers By Jeffrey G. Lewis (Monterey Institute of International Studies, USA)

Summary

This book traces the evolution of China's nuclear weapons policies, forces and posture.

Paper Tigers Summary

Paper Tigers: China's Nuclear Posture by Jeffrey G. Lewis (Monterey Institute of International Studies, USA)

China's nuclear arsenal has long been an enigma. The arsenal has historically been small, based almost exclusively on land-based ballistic missiles, maintained at a low level of alert, and married to a no-first-use doctrine - all choices that would seem to invite attack in a crisis. Chinese leaders, when they have spoken about nuclear weapons, have articulated ideas that sound odd to the Western ear. Mao Zedong's oft-quoted remark that 'nuclear weapons are a paper tiger' seems to be bluster or madness.

China's nuclear forces are now too important to remain a mystery. Yet Westerners continue to disagree about basic factual information concerning one of the world's most important nuclear-weapons states. This Adelphi book documents and explains the evolution of China's nuclear forces in terms of historical, bureaucratic and ideological factors. There is a strategic logic at work, but that logic is mediated through politics, bureaucracy and ideology. The simplest explanation is that Chinese leaders, taken as a whole, have tended to place relatively little emphasis on the sort of technical details that dominated US discussions regarding deterrence. Such profound differences in thinking about nuclear weapons could lead to catastrophic misunderstanding in the event of a military crisis between Beijing and Washington.

About Jeffrey G. Lewis (Monterey Institute of International Studies, USA)

Jeffrey G. Lewis

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Chinese views of nuclear weapons 2. Nuclear weapons design and testing 3. Fissile material production 4. Nuclear forces 5. Strategic stability and regional security Conclusion

Additional information

GOR013634560
9781138907140
1138907146
Paper Tigers: China's Nuclear Posture by Jeffrey G. Lewis (Monterey Institute of International Studies, USA)
Used - Like New
Paperback
Taylor & Francis Ltd
20141218
160
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

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