When should we care about new technology in the nuclear domain? Assessing emerging technologies impacts on stability
As new and modernized systems are fielded by the U.S. and Russia, and as China expands its nuclear stockpile with 21st century technology, it is important to ask when do new technologies in the nuclear domain actually matter? When do emerging capabilities and replacements of existing systems change the military realities of the world’s nuclear powers and the lived experiences of the people in these countries? Specifically, it is important to consider what are the attributes of emerging weapon systems that may impact nuclear strategic stability, or in even narrower terms, which attributes of newly fielded military systems may make nuclear conflict more likely or less likely? It is through this understanding that policy makers, voters, and the broader nuclear weapons community can evaluate when and how to respond to emerging technology while reducing the likelihood of nuclear escalation.