Abstract
What are the causes of Russia’s increasingly assertive nuclear weapons policy? This article offers a synthetic explanation combining strategic imperatives, status aspirations, and domestic political factors. In brief, it is argued that strategic imperatives go a long way toward explaining Russia’s nuclear force modernization. Russia seeks to upgrade its aging nuclear arsenal to maintain an assured second-strike capability. Status aspirations, in turn, can account for many nuclear exercises and maneuvers conducted by Russia. The aim is to promote Russia’s image as a great power in world politics. Finally, regime security considerations are the primary driver of Moscow’s abrasive nuclear rhetoric, which often caters to a domestic audience. The article unpacks these arguments, demonstrates their explanatory purchase, and discusses policy implications.
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Götz, E. Strategic imperatives, status aspirations, or domestic interests? Explaining Russia’s nuclear weapons policy. Int Polit 56, 810–827 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-018-0168-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-018-0168-7