Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

IR 030 > Final > Flashcards

Final Flashcards

1
Q

Why do some say the assertiveness of the 2018 NPR is not right?

A

It is too aggressive and expensive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why do some scholars say the assertiveness of the 2018 NPR is the right move?

A

The US has neglected its nukes for too long, the US must adapt to great power competition, the US must adapt to technological evolution, costs are manageable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why do some scholars say the US needs tactical nukes against Russia and China?

A

Strategic nukes are too destructive to be used and tactical nukes will compensate for the erosion of the US conventional military edge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What were Biden’s campaign promises on nukes?

A

The US would only use nukes to deter enemies or retaliate, and we would work with other great powers on arms control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What has Biden done on nukes since in power?

A

Remained vague under the conditions nukes would be used, and endorsed the US nuclear modernization program

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How many domestic sites are there of nukes?

A

24, in 11 states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How many warheads does the US have?

A

5,244

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How many nuclear warheads does the US have deployed?

A

1,770

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How many nukes does the US have in storage?

A

1,938

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How many nukes does the US have retired?

A

1,536

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What assets does the US nuclear program have?

A

Best delivery vehicles, best intelligence capabilities, global network of bases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When was the emergence of the nuclear triad?

A

1960

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When did debates start about the survival of the triad?

A

End of the Cold War

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the arguments against the nuclear triad?

A

It is pointless and has destabilizing effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why do some say the triad is pointless?

A

Terrorists are the main threat to US and cannot be deterred, rogue states are the other main threats, but have small arsenal’s, because of technological breakthroughs that facilitate detection some elements of the triad are likely to lose their stealth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What did the US strategic command of 1992 say?

A

Retain the triad to prepare for new or resurgence enemies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why do some scholars argue the triad should be retained?

A

Dismantling the triad would be risky, each branch of the triad offers specific strategic advantages, the nuclear triad makes US nuclear attacks more unpredictable for the enemy, the triad advances the cause of nuclear disarmament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why do some scholars say dismantling the nuclear triad would be risky?

A

It would be a sign of weakness for enemies and allies, reduces US ability to counter a system, failure or enemy tech breakthroughs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How does the nuclear triad advance the cause of nuclear disarmament?

A

US leaders will be more willing to reduce the size of America’s arsenal because the triad makes them feel more secure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When did US leaders first start considering BMDs?

A

The 1940s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What was the first serious attempt at ballistic missile defense?

A

Strategic Defense initiative of 1983

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

When did the US withdraw from the anti-ballistic missile treaty?

A

2001

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How much has the US spent on BMD’s since 1983?

A

Over $2 billion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How many ground-based midcourse defense interceptors are there?

A

44 with 40 in Alaska, and four in California

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the function of ground-based midcourse defense interceptors?

A

Well, there’s not enough interceptors to stop a full scale Russian, or Chinese ICBM attack, small nuclear weapons states ICBM can be stopped, like North Korea, and in the future, Iran

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is terminal high altitude area defense?

A

Mobile BMD systems designed to intercepts short and medium range missiles during their final descent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Where are the main THAAD systems?

A

Overseas US bases like Guam and some US allies like South Korea, Israel and the UAE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are aegis BMD’s?

A

Systems initially on Americas aegis ships designed to intercept short and medium range ballistic missiles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are patriot advanced capability 3 BMDs?

A

Mobile BMDs deployed in various parts of the world to defend small areas like military bases or an airfield

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Why does the US invest in BMD systems?

A

To deter attacks, minimize damage in case of general nuclear war, entrench US influence in the allied states that deployed those BMD’s, encircle Russia, and China

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Why do BMD systems deter attacks?

A

An enemy would not like to waste assets that are likely to be intercepted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

How is US influence entrenched in allied states that deploy BMD’s?

A

The systems require inter-operability and signal solidarity with the United States

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are other uses for BMD systems?

A

Intelligence collection on enemy sites through radars and attack on enemy sides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Why do some scholars oppose BMD systems?

A

Questionable effectiveness, very expensive, and a risk of escalation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

When did the industrial military complex emerge?

A

The early Cold War first coined in Eisenhower’s’s farewell speech in 1960

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What are the members of the industrial military complex?

A

The US military, military corporations, Congress, and think tanks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What members of the trump administration were also employed in defense contractors?

A

SecDef James Mattis was a board member of General dynamics, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly was an advisor to DynCorp, secretary of army Mark Esper was the former Raytheon, Vice President

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What percent of the top 10 foreign policy and defense think tanks worldwide received money from military corporations?

A

80%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What percent of the top 10 foreign-policy in defense think tanks worldwide receive money from governments?

A

90%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Why do governments incorporations fund think tank research?

A

For objective analysis, but also access to informal networks were policies are formed, leveraging the intellectual or political prestige of think tanks, to push favorable narratives or policy ideas, obstructing the outlets that could support alternative voices, and to prevent critical information from reaching the mass public

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What are the consequences of government incorporation funding on think tanks?

A

Rare direct censorship, common self censorship, perspective filtering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What are the consequences of governments and corporations funding think tanks on US nuclear policy?

A

No change in the US nuclear policy, and constant push for expansion and modernization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

When did China first start developing the nuclear program?

A

Spring of 1952

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Why did China start their nuclear program?

A

Because of US nuclear threats during the Korean War

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Why was there an acceleration in China’s nuclear program in 1954?

A

Discovery of uranium reserves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Why was there a debate about the desirability of nukes in China in 1961?

A

The Sino-Soviet split ending Soviet nuclear assistant and economic disaster of the great leap forward

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

When was China’s first nuclear test?

A

October 1964

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What did China’s first nuclear doctrine say?

A

They would adopt a minimum deterrence strategy, pledge no first use, and oppose the US Soviet arms race

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

In what ways has China neglected its nuclear program?

A

It had no details, operational doctrine, a small unsophisticated and vulnerable arsenal. Only a few dozen missiles, a few bombers in a single nuclear submarine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What were Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaping’s beliefs about China’s nukes?

A

They did not believe in value of nukes for comment, and the girls were turns in preventing nuclear blackmail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

How did the communist parties domination over the military in China affect the nuclear policy?

A

Secrecy and intellectual conformism hurt nuclear debates. There was an unwillingness to defy the leaders views and the cultural revolution disrupted China’s military institutions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What was China’s strategic culture like that led to nuclear neglect?

A

Emphasis on moral dimensions in an emphasis on an indirect approach to war

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What was China’s first official nuclear strategy?

A

2006 white paper

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What does the 2006 white paper say?

A

The Chinese nuclear doctrine was the same as in the past

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Why was it remarkable the Chinese nuclear doctrine stayed the same as in the past in the 2006 white paper?

A

Chinese fast growing resources, trying to see huge commercial military reforms during these years, and the relative opening of China as the communist regime became less oppressive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What is the function of the 2015 white paper?

A

It showed that China had growing nuclear ambitions and then to 2016 reforms, including a higher status for nuclear weapons in Chinese military

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What expanding nuclear assets does China have?

A

More nukes, more missiles, more road mobile missiles, or SLBMs, and more anti-satellite weapons to destroy US satellitesq

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What are the new debates among Chinese leaders?

A

Should China abandon first no use and should China raise its alert status

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

What is China’s sprint to parity?

A

The growth of nuclear weapons was likely 1500 by 2035

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

In what ways has China been trying to deceive the world about its nuclear weapons?

A

Hiding its nukes in new tunnels, covertly testing tactical nukes, and the lack of transparency and accountability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

Why do some scholars say that you guys should not feel overly alarmed by China’s nuclear program?

A

Chinese nuclear arsenal remain small, China’s readiness level is still love, Chinese nuclear secrecy is understandable, the reluctance on arms control is normal, China lacks fissile material to build more nukes, China’s lesson from history is to focus on economic growth, China is building up because it worries about the US, and US intelligence agencies have gotten China wrong many times before

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

Why do some scholars say Chinese nuclear secrecy is understandable?

A

It is surrounded by US military assets and allies, the US has huge offensive capabilities, and China’s few nukes and delivery vehicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

What are some flashpoints for a future US China war?

A

The East China Sea, the South China Sea, or most likely, Taiwan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

What are some reasons why China might escalate a conflict to the nuclear level?

A

The vulnerability of China’s nuclear arsenal, the inherent dynamics of any crisis can make escalation inevitable, the US could inadvertently strike nuclear assets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

How do the inherent dynamics of any crisis make escalation inevitable?

A

Risk of misperceptions, risk of bad intelligence, and a huge pressure on leaders to show brinkmanship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What are some reasons why China would not escalate a conflict the nuclear level?

A

China will not fear US is about to destroy its nukes and the US has everything under control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

Why does China not fear the US is about to destroy its nukes?

A

It’s nuclear assets are well hidden, its nuclear assets are dispersed, and its nuclear assets are strongly hardened

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

Why do we have limited intelligence on North Korea’s nuclear program?

A

It’s a secretive and isolated dictatorship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

When did North Korea first construct a nuclear reactor?

A

The early 1960s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

When was North Korea’s first nuclear test?

A

2006

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

What is the security rationale North Korea has for its nukes?

A

Since 1950, US troops have been in South Korea, and have made nuclear threats, as well as an early post Cold War insecurity and concerns about states that abandon nukes or nuclear programs that were attacked

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

How did identity play a role in the decision of the North Korean nuclear program?

A

The North Koreans want to overcome memories of Japanese colonialism in a frustrated with their dependency on China and Russia, or other great powers, this concept means they take extreme measures to retain control and show hostility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

How did North Korea’s nukes lead to domestic political gains?

A

The strengthen the masses support for the countries leaders, and divert attention away from domestic failures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

What was the 1993 to 1994 crisis between the US and North Korea?

A

An incident where both countries made threats in the US considered preventative strikes, and North Korea’s facilities. It was ended by Jimmy Carter’s visit to Pyongyang and the US North Korea agreed framework.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What did the six party talks from 2003 to 2009 say?

A

North Korea would disarm in exchange for economic and security cooperation. However, they will soon test their first nuclear weapon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

What was Obama’s strategy towards North Korea’s nuclear program?

A

Strategic patience, or having more sanctions to incline North Korea to work towards denuclearization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

Why did the rise of Kim Jong-un need to an expansion of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions?

A

Kim Jong-un was domestically weak, North Korea faced tensions with China, and there was a fear of a US coup

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

What caused the 2017 US North Korean nuclear crisis?

A

In August, US Intel showed that North Korea’s ICBMs could reach the US homeland, so Trump issued several threats and the North Koreans retaliated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

What ended the 2017 US North Korean nuclear crisis?

A

North Korea is needed for economic assistance, election of a new South Korean president open to talks, and trumps interest in a big summit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

What happened during Trump and Kim’s first meeting in Singapore, June 2018?

A

Trump declared there was no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea, but no real progress was made towards denuclearization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

How is North Korea still a growing threat?

A

The continued build up of their nukes, road, mobile launchers, solid, fuel missiles (harder to detect and faster launches), considers, tactical, nukes, and recently tested a new ICBM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

What is the rate of success during the US missile defense tests?

A

56%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

Why might China oppose the US intervention in North Korea?

A

Prevent the US from deploying at China’s border

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

Why might China try to help the US neutralize North Korea as long as the US promises not to stay in the country?

A

China might be concerned about how North Korea’s instability could destabilize their country, and Beijing is tired of North Korea’s reckless nuclear policies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

What is extended deterrence?

A

The protection of allies, possibly with nuclear strikes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

How many US nukes were in east Asia in the late 1960s?

A

More than 3000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

What events have led to growing concerns of Americas allies in east Asia?

A

The US drawl of its tactical nukes, North Korea’s nuclear development, China’s nuclear buildup, trumps rejection of alliances, China’s military and economy, catching up with the US, and Russia’s attack on Ukraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

What percent of South Koreans in 2017 wanted a nuclear weapon?

A

60%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

What has Japan’s debate about developing a nuclear weapon looked like?

A

They have a strong aversion to nuclear weapons among the people, but they worry about North Korea and China

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

What was the relationship like between the US and Iran in the Shah era?

A

Good, Iran participated in Atoms for Peace and they had major civilian plans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

What led to growing Iran nuclear ambitions?

A

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), where Iraq attacked Iran and used chemical weapons, with only support from the west

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

When did the Iran nuclear controversy start?

A

Post-CW, with CIA predictions that Iran would have the bomb by 2000, and being in Bush’s axis of evil speech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

Why did the US not strike Iran in the early 2000s?

A

Entanglements in Iraq

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

What was Stuxnet?

A

A US Israel computer virus discovered in 2010 to derail Iran centrifuges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

When was the JSPOA signed?

A

July 2015

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

Who signed the JCPOA?

A

Iran, US, EU, China, Russia, France, Britain, Germany

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

What were the main clauses of the JCPOA?

A

Lifting of international sanctions on Iran in exchange for sever restrictions on Iran’s program

98
Q

Why did some oppose the JCPOA?

A

It legitimized Iran’s nuclear program, its technical repercussions were not severe enough, and would not last long enough, and the lifting of sanctions would help Iran fund terrorism

99
Q

Why did some support the JCPOA?

A

Iran’s nuclear ambitions were more restrained, another deal could be negotiated later for the long term, and Iran would become a more moderate actor

100
Q

Why do some say Iran does want nuclear weapons?

A

Deterrent and prestige

101
Q

Why do some say that Iran does not want nuclear weapons?

A

Islam, nukes would hurt its interests, and in 2010, no evidence of Iran’s decision to develop nukes

102
Q

Why is Iran hedging close to nuclear-weapons capability?

A

To deter an attack, to extract concessions, and to consolidate the regime’s popularity at home

103
Q

What do alarmists say about how worried we should be if Iran develops nukes?

A

Iran would be emboldened and Iran’s leaders are irrational. Additionally, Israel and other Arab states will react strongly, which could lead to war, an arms race, or seeking protectors other than the US

104
Q

What do middle ground scholars say about how worried we should be if Iran develops nukes?

A

Iran’s nuclear policy has always been rational and the heated rhetoric about nukes is mostly about domestic politics

105
Q

What do optimists say about how worried we should be if Iran develops nukes?

A

Stability will improve because Iran will deter the US and Israel

106
Q

Why did Trump withdraw from the JCPOA?

A

Iran will build nukes anyways, Iran has ballistic missiles, and Iran’s support for terrorism

107
Q

What was the Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign?

A

To impose massive sanctions on Iran to force a renegotiation of the JCPOA

108
Q

What were the problems with trumps maximum pressure campaign against Iran?

A

Iran refuse to yield, the US decision to revoke an official agreement was controversial, renewed US Iran tensions, and China and Iran strategic partnership

109
Q

In what ways did Iran refuse to yield to trumps maximum pressure campaign?

A

They built a resistance economy to reduce the impact of sanctions, the regime use nuclear nationalism to preserve unity, they responded aggressively abroad, and strengthened their relationship with America’s enemies

110
Q

What has Biden done in terms of the JCPOA?

A

He’s issued a special envoy to begin negotiations but Iran has had a tepid response and asks for a guarantee that no future president could withdraw from the agreement as well as new concessions

111
Q

How has Iran violated the JCPOA since the withdrawl of the United States?

A

Iran has increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, has launched more advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, has restricted i.e. inspectors access, and more

112
Q

Why is Iran unlikely to yield to economic or diplomatic pressures from the US?

A

They do not trust US leaders, China and Russia can help Iran absorb US and western sanctions, Iran and Saudi opening further reduces US leverages

113
Q

Why do some scholars say the US should strike Iran?

A

The US is losing time to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, most of Iran’s facilities are vulnerable, Iran’s response will be limited, and Iran will not recover easily

114
Q

Why do some scholars argue the US should not strike Iran?

A

The threat is overblown, facilities are hard to destroy, Iran could rebuild its nuclear assets fast, risk of international backlash for US, and war could break out and expand fast

115
Q

When was the Soviet nuclear program first created?

A

Early 1943

116
Q

When was the first Soviet nuclear test?

A

August 1949

117
Q

What was the Soviet nuclear strategy during the Cold War?

A

Military control, seeking nuclear victory, preemptive nuclear escalation in case of invasion

118
Q

How many US nukes were deployed in Western Europe in the early 70s?

A

7000

119
Q

When did the Soviet union start seeking arms control with the US?

A

1972

120
Q

How did Gorbachev change Soviet policy on nukes?

A

He realized enduring vulnerability to US strikes, the financial hardships the Soviet union was facing so they’d be unable to keep up with the US, the Chernobyl disasters, and the INF treaty been in ground-based missiles of intermediate range

121
Q

What did the start treaty of 1991 do?

A

Made the max number of war heads on delivery vehicles 6000

122
Q

What contributed to Russia’s frustrations with US?

A

National decline, general disagreements, NATO’s decision to expand eastward, and US efforts to achieve nuclear primacy

123
Q

Why was there a growing doctrinal reliance on nukes in Russia?

A

NATO’s expansion, cheap cost of nukes, low quality of Russia’s conventional sources, and China is growing conventional military capabilities

124
Q

What is escalate to de-escalate?

A

Russia would use nukes in case of a large scale aggression utilizing conventional weapons in situations deemed critical to the national security of the Russian federation

125
Q

What was the Obama Medvedev reset?

A

A re-strengthening of the relationship, including the new start treaty to reduce strategic warheads and strategic delivery vehicles, NATO’s declining concerns about Russia, but a reemerging rivalry

126
Q

How has Russia had a nuclear build up?

A

They have a nuclear modernization program expected to cost $70 billion, growing opacity and more decisions behind closed doors, and bellicose rhetoric

127
Q

When did the Russia Ukraine crisis start?

A

February 2014, when Russia annex Crimea

128
Q

What were NATO’s concerns after the 2014 Ukraine crisis?

A

The number of Russian troops and tactical nukes, and a nightmare scenario where Russia would invade a NATO territory

129
Q

Why did some experts advocate for a restrained approach on Russia?

A

The Russian threat is overblown, as Russia has financial constraints, demographics decline, and Russia’s military is weak; but the risk of war is real, so the US should not provoke the Russians, should not protect its eastern NATO allies, or the US should leave NATO

130
Q

How did the US and its allies strengthen NATO after the 2014 Ukraine crisis?

A

They assumed being tough was the best way to deter Russia, so they station more troops near Russian borders, emphasize NATO’s red lines more clearly, deployed more tactical nukes, lowered the nuclear threshold, and strengthened NATO’s Eastern European states

131
Q

What are the main assets of the Russian empire?

A

Central geographic position in Eurasia, centralized and repressive regime, strong industrial base, and military superiority

132
Q

In what ways has Russia declined since the Soviet era?

A

Demise of a seventy year old ideology, loss of 1/6 of its territory, population decline from 293 million to 146 million, GDP falling by 43%, number of troops declining from 3.5million to 1.2 million

133
Q

What were Russia’s immediate disagreements with the US?

A

They resent in German reunification, shock therapy failed, they resented US strides in central Asia, US backed expansion of the EU, and NATO expansion in central and eastern Europe

134
Q

What was the US perspective on Russia’s immediate disagreements with them?

A

They tried to help Russia, they were worried about Russia’s imperial tendencies, and they wanted to protect central and eastern European states

135
Q

When has Vladimir Putin been president of Russia?

A

From 2000-2008, and 2012 on

136
Q

What are the debates about Putin’s leader ship?

A

Is he a visionary or incompetent, is he a patriot or a thug, is he strong or insecure

137
Q

What are Russia’s consistent strategic ends?

A

Repression and buying loyalty at home, protecting the near abroad, reasserting their prestige abroad, finding new markets beyond the west, and pushing back against US encirclement

138
Q

What began the Russia Ukraine crisis?

A

In 2013, the Ukrainian president rejected an economic pact with the EU, which led to massive demonstration. In February 2014, he fled Ukraine, which led to Russia taking Crimea

139
Q

What was Russia’s response to the sanctions against it after seizing Crimea?

A

A military buildup on its western flank, increased information wars, rapprochement with China, partial reorientation towards Eurasia

140
Q

How did Putin re-orient towards other parts of Eurasia after the 2014 Ukraine crisis?

A

Developed Russia’s Arctic and eastern peripheries, finding markets in Asia to buffer western sanctions, working with other states who are opposed to US hegemony, accelerate the Sino Russian rapprochement

141
Q

When was Russia’s invasion into Ukraine announced?

A

February 24, 2022

142
Q

What do scholars who say the war in Ukraine is Russia’s fault say about what caused it?

A

Putin’s psychology, domestic political calculations, and complex of inferiority led to the invasion

143
Q

What do scholars who say the war in Ukraine is NATO’s fault say about what caused it?

A

NATO’s expansion since the 90s, NATO’s rapprochement with Ukraine, and Ukraine strategic importance to Russia

144
Q

How many civilians have died in the Ukraine war?

A

8500

145
Q

How many refugees have fled Ukraine?

A

8 million

146
Q

How many troops has Ukraine lost?

A

120,000

147
Q

How many troops has Russia lost?

A

200,000

148
Q

What have been Russia’s strategic setbacks in the war in Ukraine?

A

Ukraine is more western oriented than ever, NATO expansion in Russia’s vicinity, Europe has become more hostile, China’s growing superiority over Russia, and Russia’s declining image

149
Q

What was NATO’s response to Russia invading Ukraine?

A

US sanctions, assistance to Ukraine to withstand the assault, denouncing Russia’s violation of the international order, but maintaining some restraint

150
Q

What percent of Americans support sending US troops to Ukraine?

A

40%

151
Q

How is the Ukraine war a war to maintain the US lead liberal order?

A

The defense of Ukraine is a defense of the liberal hegemony against Russia but also China

152
Q

What strategic virtues does the war in Ukraine have for the United States?

A

It hurts Russia’s power potential without sacrificing US or NATO lives, it is revived the NATO alliance, and opposing Russia can help US influence in other regions

153
Q

What challenges does the US face during the Ukraine war?

A

The war hurts US prosperity, congressional support might not last forever, and US needs to focus on China

154
Q

What are some scholars say the war in Ukraine is a diversion from the US Indo pacific strategy?

A

Ukraine isn’t that important, China is a much bigger threat, the US doesn’t have the power to cover both Europe and Asia, the longer we focus on Ukraine the more tempted China will be to invade Taiwan, and Europe is wealthy enough to support Ukraine on its own

155
Q

Why do some scholars say the US must support Ukraine in NATO as part of their Indo pacific strategy?

A

The US must protect liberal values everywhere, the US credibility as an ally is at stake, Russia’s defeat in Ukraine will discourage China from invading Taiwan, US support to Europe against Russia can help the US ask the Europeans to help the US against China

156
Q

What is the US concerned about in terms of Russia?

A

Their willingness to escalate to de-escalate, their lowered threshold for first use, and their enduring support of rogue states

157
Q

What are the signs of US Russia degradation under Trump?

A

New disputes over US BMDs, the demise of the INF treaty, and termination of the open skies treaty

158
Q

Why did some scholars argue Russia had legitimate concerns about the US before the Ukraine war?

A

They feared a decapitating US strike, they feared that US BMDs would cancel Russia’s nuclear deterrent, the decision of the US to lower its nuclear threshold, and new NATO members and partnerships in Russia’s sphere of influence

159
Q

Why did some scholars argue before the Ukraine war that Russia’s nuclear policy seemed reasonable?

A

The 2011 modernization program was simply to protect Russia’s second strike capability and replace their aging assets, nuclear threats are not a sign of a rationality and recklessness, most of Russia’s nuclear exercises are defensive, Russia has fewer nukes than during the Cold War, and Putin made efforts to reassure

160
Q

Why did some scholars argue before the Ukraine war that Russia’s nuclear policies fulfill non-security objectives?

A

That they have status aspirations and nukes for the only area of parity they had with the US, and they wanted domestic political gains to divert the publics attention from economic problems

161
Q

What is the Russia’s main nuclear measures thus far into the Ukraine war?

A

Dangerous rhetoric, nuclear forces on high alert, use dual capable ballistic missiles, tested its new ICBM, ordered a snap nuclear war game, and occupied to nuclear power plants in Ukraine

162
Q

Why do optimists say nuclear war won’t happen in Ukraine?

A

Biden understands the risks, Putin is rational, and Russia did nothing after NATO crossed it’s first red lines

163
Q

Why do some say the US is already on a path to escalation in Ukraine?

A

They are sending more military assistance, crippling economic sanctions now designed to permanently weaken Russia, and Biden is under pressure to be tough from many sources

164
Q

What are the pathways for NATO escalation in Ukraine?

A

Russian incursions into Russian speaking NATO states or Russian strike on armed convoys in NATO states heading to Ukraine

165
Q

What are Russia’s official escalation threshold?

A

Ballistic missiles targeting Russia or its allies, use of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons against Russia, attacks against Russian nuclear command and control, and conventional attacks that threaten the very existence of the state

166
Q

Why might Russia’s threshold be lower for tactical nukes?

A

Russia has thousands of tactical nukes, and the smaller guilds gives the illusion of control however, the use of tactical nuke could trigger a general nuclear war

167
Q

Why do some say Russia is already on a path to escalation?

A

Energy cut offs to punish the EU, more bombs dropped on civilian target, formal annexation of for Ukrainian provinces, and partial mobilization of Russia’s population

168
Q

What does scholars believe is the main scenario that leads to nuclear use in Ukraine?

A

The fear of Putin’s fall or regime change

169
Q

What are the potential US responses if Russia uses tactical nukes?

A

Use tactical nukes to destroy Russian targets in Ukraine but that would be politically infeasible and compromise the nuclear taboo; conventional strikes on Ukraine or Russia but it would be a escalatory; continued assistance to Ukrainians without escalation but if Ukraine war wins more battles Putin will be cornered and use nukes and if the US does not respond they will use nukes; press both parties to negotiate but there’s no room for compromise and putting too much pressure on Ukraine is politically difficult to

170
Q

What are some say Putin may be irrational?

A

The Russian invasion of Ukraine does not make sense, Putin has unchecked paranoia, Putin’s fundamentalist mindset, no one can restrain Putin, so that all could lead to potential nuclear escalation

171
Q

When did India’s nuclear program start?

A

1948 with the Atomic Energy Commission, for electricity production

172
Q

How did the US support India’s nuclear program?

A

India was a recipient of Atoms for Peace so the US helped build reactors, train scientist and shared nuclear knowledge

173
Q

Why did India have an atomic ambivalence opposition to nuclear weapons?

A

Insufficient economic resources and self perception as morally superior

174
Q

Why did India drift towards nuclear weapon ambitions?

A

To demonstrate their independence as a post colonial state, frustration with the US Soviet build up, resistance to US pressures to have India’s send the nonproliferation treaty, humiliation in the war against China, then Chinese nuclear test, the second Indo Pakistan war following a Pakistani attack, in the third Indo Pakistan war following a Pakistani attack

175
Q

How did the US make India feel more insecure?

A

The 1954 US Pakistan partnership, US neutrality during the 1965 Indo Pakistan war, your support to Pakistan during the third Indo Pakistan war of 1971, the US China opening

176
Q

When was the second India Pakistan war?

A

1965

177
Q

When was the third Indo Pakistan war?

A

1971

178
Q

When was India’s Pokhran I test?

A

May 1974

179
Q

How was India’s first nuclear test presented to the world?

A

It was presented as a peaceful nuclear explosion, it was the first nuclear test by a Third World country but not a nuclear weapon although it’s still had implications for Pakistan and the rest of the world

180
Q

Why was there a decline in India’s nuclear program after 1975?

A

Domestic instability, economic issues, Soviet protection, international sanctions

181
Q

What was the origin of Pakistan’s nuclear program?

A

In 1955, the Pakistan atomic energy commission goals of electricity and medicine

182
Q

How did the US support Pakistan’s nuclear program?

A

In 1955, Pakistan was the recipient of Atoms for Peace, meaning the US helped build reactors, train Pakistani scientist, and share scientific knowledge

183
Q

Why did Pakistan drift towards nuclear weapon ambitions?

A

India’s Geo political superiority, constant disappointment with the US partnership, the third India Pakistan war, which led to east Pakistan’s independence (Bangladesh), to assert national independence as a postcolonial state, and a complex of superiority with India

184
Q

Who is AQ Khan?

A

A Pakistani scientist who worked for a western European nuclear farm. In 1976, he returned to Pakistan to help the nuclear program by stealing European nuclear tech and using European networks to procure items on the black market.

185
Q

What led the US to stop pressures on the Pakistan nuclear program?

A

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan made it to the US needed to work with the neighbor Pakistan, so they turned a blind eye

186
Q

Why was India increasingly concerned about Pakistan’s nuclear program?

A

Their accelerated progress towards the bomb, China’s increase assistance to Pakistan, Pakistan support to anti-Indian terrorist movement, Pakistan’s nuclear threats, and US exports of F-16 fighter aircraft

187
Q

When did India and Pakistan become de facto nuclear weapons states?

A

By 1990

188
Q

When was there a renewed US concerned about south Asia’s nuclearization?

A

The end of the Cold War meant the US did not need Pakistan anymore, so they were growing US pressures on Pakistan and India to abandon their nuclear ambitions

189
Q

What was India’s BJP party under PM Vajpayee?

A

Hindu nationalist party that tested India’s first nuclear weapons in May 1998, justified by India’s fear of China

190
Q

What did the US do to try to convince Pakistan not to test nukes following India’s nuclear tests?

A

Threaten sanctions, promised skyrocketing aid, and promised to invite Pakistani leaders to DC, but in late May 1998, there were six Pakistani nuclear tests

191
Q

When was the Kargil war or the fourth Indo Pakistani war?

A

1999

192
Q

How did the fourth into Pakistani war start?

A

Pakistan cross the border an occupied mountains of Kargil in Kashmir, India would dislodge Pakistani soldiers without entering Pakistan territory

193
Q

What was the international concern during the fourth Indo Pakistani war?

A

They were concerned about nuclear escalation, it would let her come out the only reason why Pakistan did not use nukes was because meaning war heads with F 16 aircraft was impossible

194
Q

What was the reaction after the fourth Indo Pakistani war?

A

Theory sanctions against both India and Pakistan but they were gradually lifted due to concerns about Pakistan’s instability in India’s growing appeal, including their nuclear restraint, huge economic opportunities, and ability to be a partner against China

195
Q

What did India’s first nuclear doctrine in August 1999 say?

A

They would adopt a policy of credible minimum deterrence, with no first use and a low number of nukes, but opacity

196
Q

What does Pakistan’s first nuclear doctrine in 1999 say?

A

They would have credible minimum deterrence, with no first use only against non-nuclear weapons states, opacity

197
Q

How does Pakistan pursued nuclear escalation dominance?

A

Building more nukes, development of tactical nuclear weapons, a new short range and rode mobile missile designed for war against India, and an asymmetric escalation doctrine

198
Q

How has India drifting towards preemptive nuclear counterforce?

A

Efforts to optimize accuracy and readiness with the goal to destroy all of Pakistan’s nuclear site if there’s any sign Pakistan is about to use nukes

199
Q

How many nukes does Pakistan currently have?

A

165

200
Q

How many nuclear weapons does India currently have?

A

160

201
Q

When was the first US nuclear power plant?

A

1954

202
Q

Why was there a nuclear boom in the 1970s?

A

The oil shock in 1973 revealed US dependency on Middle East oil

203
Q

How many nuclear reactors did the world have in 1980?

A

223 reactors in 22 states

204
Q

What happened during the Three Mile Island accident (March 1979)?

A

There was a partial meltdown and a small radioactive release

205
Q

What happened during the Chernobyl accident (April 1986)?

A

220,000 people relocated, $68B to decontaminate, 4,000 dead in the long term

206
Q

What did the tsunami do to the Fukushima plant?

A

Disabled backup diesel generators, crippled cooling systems, and radioactive release about 10% of Chernobyl

207
Q

What was the impact of the Fukushima reactor?

A

150,000 evacuated, $180B in costs, radiation exposure

208
Q

Who was responsible for Fukushima?

A

Tepco, the company operating Fukushima had a history of negligence, and the government

209
Q

What was the global impact of Fukushima?

A

Global decline of nuclear energy, cases of quasi nuclear exit, and US relative decline in energy production

210
Q

Why did the US start to decline in nuclear energy production?

A

Shale gas revolution, risk of natural disasters, rising interest in other renewables

211
Q

How many new reactors have there been since Fukushima?

A

63

212
Q

Why is nuclear energy still appealing to some?

A

Cheap and to fight against global warming

213
Q

Why has there been a renewed push for nuclear energy in the US?

A

A push by the Biden administration, push by some states, and favorability among people

214
Q

How many nuclear reactors does the US currently have?

A

93 reactors at 55 plant in 28 states

215
Q

Why do skeptic of nuclear energy say enough energy can’t be delivered in time?

A

Timelines of production are too long, the costs are too high, nuclear power will be dwarfed by renewables, and global warming will hamper energy production

216
Q

What do supporters of nuclear energy say enough energy can be delivered in time?

A

Timelines are not that long, new tech will help reduce costs, and renewable energies will not suffice

217
Q

Why do skeptics say nuclear energy is not safe for the environment?

A

Many nuclear accidents, risk of accidents persists in rich countries with aging reactors, developing countries will be exposed to severe risks, nuclear waste, and reactors can be targeted during wars

218
Q

Why do supporters say nuclear energy is safe for the environment?

A

Waste is manageable, some states have exploited nuclear energy for decades without issue, new nuclear technologies are safer, renewable energies have environmental costs, exploiting other energy sources comes with risks, and nuclear power has saved lives from air pollution

219
Q

What do supporters say about the strategic benefits of nuclear energy exports?

A

US energy exports helped them during the Cold War, but today, Russia and China are the top exporters

220
Q

What do skeptics say about strategic benefits of nuclear energy exports?

A

More US exports will not hurt Russia and China’s nuclear exports, but will hurt nonproliferation

221
Q

What is cyber?

A

An operational domaines framed by the use of electronics and the electromagnetic spectrum to create, store, modify, exchange, and exploit information via interconnected and internetted information systems and their associated infrastructure

222
Q

What are the inherent problems with cyber?

A

Secrecy, technical complexity, and a rising number of normal accidents

223
Q

What is a cyber threat?

A

Efforts to attack, compromise, destroy, disrupt, or exploit activities involving computer networks, software, and hardware/infrastructure

224
Q

What are the main categories of cyber attacks?

A

Sabotage/destruction, espionage, mislead early warning networks, transmit false launch orders, denial of service, or jam communications

225
Q

What is cyber sabotage?

A

Vulnerability at all stages, Farewell Doctrine by CIA in 80s to mislead Soviets, Israel’s Super program to disable Syria’s air defense systems, Stuxnet

226
Q

What is the main cyberthreat?

A

Espionage

227
Q

What are potential cyber attacks during crises or wars?

A

Disrupt/destroy communications channel, distort perceptions about enemy intentions and capabilities, mislead early warning networks, transmit false launch orders, and third parties could trigger a nuclear crisis

228
Q

What are other ways to categorize cyber threats?

A

Can affect various targets, can be actual or perceptual, can be disabling or enabling, remote or on-site attacks, visible or invisible, one time occurrence or long term

229
Q

What are hypersonic missiles?

A

Missiles that are highly maneuverable, high speed, unusual attitudes, and can improve deterrance

230
Q

What are the limitations of hypersonic missiles?

A

Not necessarily a revolution compared to the best ballistic missiles and easy to track, but fear could trigger dangerous responses

231
Q

What is the potential risk of 3d printing?

A

Could help produce military items

232
Q

What are the problems with social media?

A

Can propagate lies, can increase pressure on politicians on all kinds of nuclear issues, and can complicate signaling

233
Q

What do optimists think about artificial Intelligence?

A

It will lead to more accurate missiles, more effective cyber attacks, and ability to escalate operations with humans out of the loop, ability to detect oncoming missiles, and help monitor the implementation of nuclear agreements

234
Q

What do pessimists say about artificial intelligence?

A

Will destabilize nuclear dynamics at all levels, complicating civilian command and control, vulnerable to hacking, and deep fakes

235
Q

How many satellites are currently in orbit?

A

5000

236
Q

How many satellites does the US have in orbit?

A

900

237
Q

How do satellites play a central role in nuclear operations?

A

Missile launch detection and early warning, tracking incoming missiles, guidance for precision munitions, and situation awareness to help build a better nuclear strategy, so the US relies on satellites

238
Q

What does the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 say?

A

No nukes in orbit or on celestial bodies

239
Q

What are the gaps in the Outer Space Treaty?

A

Nothing on conventionally armed space to space weapons, nothing on conventionally armed space to Earth weapons targeting satellites, nothing on non nuclear Earth to space weapons targeting nuclear facilities

240
Q

Why is competition in outer space bound to grow?

A

Buildup of rivals, and the US has created the Space Force

IR 030 (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions