Strategic Weapons in the 21st Century

2007 Conference Summary

This inaugural conference was organized to gain insight into the future course of the nation’s strategic weapons posture and the role of deterrence in a changed world.

Policy makers, technologists, and experts discussed select issues regarding technological and scientific advances, security policy, defense programs, and international developments. This forum provided a dialog on topics related to roles of strategic weapons, both nuclear and non-nuclear. Read the full conference summary here (pdf).

2007 Conference Presentations/Papers

• International and Domestic Dynamics
What geo-strategic changes present the most significant post-NPR challenges, including assuring and defending our allies and friends and dissuading, deterring and defeating our adversaries?

- Does US Strategic Primary Deter? (pdf)
  Michael Nacht, University of California, Berkeley
- Nuclear Proliferation: One a Decade, or One a Year? (pdf)
  John Reichert, National Defense University


• Doctrine and Operations
How should we address the policy and operational complexities associated with a global strike element of our strategic deterrent that has both nuclear and non-nuclear components?

- Prompt Global Strike: Selected Key Issues (pdf)
  Walter B. Slocombe, Caplin & Drysdale, and Keith B. Payne,
  National Institute of Public Policy


• Implementation Strategy
Within the New Triad concept in the NPR, what is required and what obstacles need to be overcome to transform strategic capabilities in order to optimize readiness and responsiveness in the 21st Century?

- Implementation Strategy (presentation) (pdf)
- Implementation Strategy (paper) (pdf)
  Miriam E. John, SNL, and Robert Barker, Consultant


• Science and Deterrence
What are the science and technology opportunities and challenges associated with maintaining a credible strategic deterrence in the 21st Century?

- Science and Deterrence (presentation) (pdf)
- Science and Deterrence (paper) (pdf)
  William Schneider Jr., Defense Science Board, and
  John D. Immele, TechSource, Inc.

2007 Conference Details

• Conference Summary (pdf)
• Conference Participants (pdf)

Other SW21 Conferencess

• SW21 2010
• SW21 2009
• SW21 2008

2007 Conference Details

• Conference Summary
• General Invitation
• Opening Remarks
• Keynote Address
• Photo Gallery