This was interesting; especially the section on counterforce targeting vs. countervalue targeting, and I am curious about how that consideration influences x-risk from nuclear war!
Agreed. The discussion of the likelihood of countervalue targetting throughout this piece seems very important if countervalue strikes would typically produce considerably more soot than counterforce strikes. In particular, the idea that any countervalue component of a second strike would likely be small seems important and is new to me.
I really hope the post is right that any countervalue targetting is moderately unlikely even in a second strike for the countries with the largest arsenals. That one ‘point blank’ line in the 2010 NPR was certainly surprising to me. On the other hand, I’m not compelled by most of the arguments as applied to second strikes specifically.
This was interesting; especially the section on counterforce targeting vs. countervalue targeting, and I am curious about how that consideration influences x-risk from nuclear war!
Agreed. The discussion of the likelihood of countervalue targetting throughout this piece seems very important if countervalue strikes would typically produce considerably more soot than counterforce strikes. In particular, the idea that any countervalue component of a second strike would likely be small seems important and is new to me.
I really hope the post is right that any countervalue targetting is moderately unlikely even in a second strike for the countries with the largest arsenals. That one ‘point blank’ line in the 2010 NPR was certainly surprising to me. On the other hand, I’m not compelled by most of the arguments as applied to second strikes specifically.