
Prevention, Pre-emption and the Nuclear Option
From Bush to Obama
Aiden Warren(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 8. September 2011
Book
Hardback
264 pages
978-0-415-66995-5 (ISBN)
Description
Despite its portrayal as a bold departure, the Bush Doctrine was not the "new" or "revolutionary" policy instrument that many at the time portended. This work seeks to argue that while it was clear that the Bush Doctrine certainly qualified as a preventive war policy, it is apparent that the adoption of this strategy did not mark a total break with American tradition or earlier Administrations.
Warren seeks to dispel arguments pertaining to the supposed "radical" nature of the Bush Doctrine - based on comparisons with previous National Security Strategies and previous Administrations' penchant for prevention. However, the work also highlights that what was new and bold about the Bush Administration's National Security Strategy of 2002, was its willingness to embrace reinvigorating a nuclear option that could ultimately be used in the context of preventive war.
While Obama has struck bold rhetorical notes and promises in relation to limiting the role of nuclear weapons, he has stopped short of changing the status quo on critical issues that have lingered since the Cold War - such as tactical nuclear weapons and keeping missiles on alert. This book's final section examines the extent to which Obama has attempted to 'adjust' the nuclear option with the recent release of the congressionally mandated Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).
Offering new insights into the Bush doctrine and providing a comprehensive analysis of the current status of the US nuclear weapons strategy, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and students of American foreign policy, security studies and international relations.
Warren seeks to dispel arguments pertaining to the supposed "radical" nature of the Bush Doctrine - based on comparisons with previous National Security Strategies and previous Administrations' penchant for prevention. However, the work also highlights that what was new and bold about the Bush Administration's National Security Strategy of 2002, was its willingness to embrace reinvigorating a nuclear option that could ultimately be used in the context of preventive war.
While Obama has struck bold rhetorical notes and promises in relation to limiting the role of nuclear weapons, he has stopped short of changing the status quo on critical issues that have lingered since the Cold War - such as tactical nuclear weapons and keeping missiles on alert. This book's final section examines the extent to which Obama has attempted to 'adjust' the nuclear option with the recent release of the congressionally mandated Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).
Offering new insights into the Bush doctrine and providing a comprehensive analysis of the current status of the US nuclear weapons strategy, this volume will be of great interest to scholars and students of American foreign policy, security studies and international relations.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
650 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-66995-5 (9780415669955)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
08/2013
1st Edition
Routledge
€62.15
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
02/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€47.49
Available for download

E-Book
02/2012
1st Edition
Routledge
€47.49
Available for download
Person
Aiden Warren is a lecturer in the School of Global Studies, Social Sciences and Planning at RMIT University, Australia
Content
1. The Bush Doctrine: Definitions and Interpretations of Prevention and Pre-emption 2. The Bush Doctrine: Preventive War in Iraq 3. The Bush Doctrine and Prevention: Evident in 20th Century US Foreign Policy - Case Studies 4. The Bush Doctrine and the Nuclear Option:The Transition from Clinton to Bush 5. The Nuclear Option: Bush and the "Real" Doctrine 6. The Nuclear Option: From Bush to Obama