Publication

This paper explores how 'firebreaks' between nuclear and conventional conflict are affecting the taboo against nuclear use that has held since 1945. The author argues that in the United States and Western Europe, any discussion of nuclear matters tends to be infected with Cold War convictions about nuclear arms and deterrence that are more articles of faith than fact. Consequently, the paper focuses on what has actually been happening to nuclear-conventional firebreaks and the taboo against nuclear use, as opposed to what so many American and European observers wish has been happening.