Nuclear Arms in the Third World: U.S. Policy Dilemma

A calm and reasoned study which emphasizes political palliatives rather than technical fixes to retard the spread of nuclear weapons. Reviewing the usual list of "high incentive" proliferators, Lefever concludes that a number are likely to acquire nuclear weapons by 2000, several in the coming years. Yet he sees little risk that the Soviet Union and the U.S. will be drawn catalytically into war through a regional conflict. He makes a persuasive argument for reinforcing U.S. security commitments so as to reduce the incentives to acquire nuclear weapons.