Inadvertent escalation : conventional war and nuclear risks /

The author meticulously explores the possibly thin line between the commencement of conventional military operations and inadvertent escalation to the nuclear level. Posen focuses on the European theater, the continuation of the Cold War having been clearly in mind when the research was conducted. The relatively abrupt political and economic changes in Europe and the Soviet Union necessitate a modification of some of the book's assumptions, particularly those relating to decision-making processes and political and strategic objectives. Posen, nevertheless, does a masterful job of effectively utilizing detailed information to demonstrate the complex interplay of force postures, strategic doctrines, and decision-making dynamics. In these respects, the author's contribution transcends the time frame dominated by two superpowers armed with gargantuan nuclear arsenals. Graduate collections. P. Watanabe; University of Massachusetts at Boston