Strengthening Deterrence

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srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_768x432_crop_bottom-center_none/intercontinental-ballistic-missile.jpg"> <source media="(min-width: 376px)" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_600x400_crop_bottom-center_none/intercontinental-ballistic-missile.jpg"> <source media="(min-width: 320px)" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_375x250_crop_bottom-center_none/intercontinental-ballistic-missile.jpg">  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt=""> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="article__header -overlap -blue wrapper -extra-large"> <div class="attribution-block"> <button class="image-attribution credit sans-serif fz11 margin-bottom-1em animated-link" aria-label="Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks/U.S. Air Force"> <span class="image-attribution__label">Image Credit</span> </button> </div> <p class="overlap-label margin-bottom"> <span class="overlap-label__underline">Part of</span> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/research/defense"> <span class="chevron -left -gray"></span> Defense </a> </p> <h1 class="page-title">Strengthening Deterrence</h1> </div> </header> <div class="wrapper wysiwyg margin-vertical"> </div> <div class="margin-vertical-2x"> <div class="wrapper wysiwyg margin-vertical "> <p>Improvements in adversaries’ conventional and nuclear capabilities are shifting the global balance of power and eroding strategic stability. These concurrent improvements combine to create more complex challenges that further stress existing deterrence concepts. The CNAS Defense Program explores options to strengthen deterrence and prevent escalation through the following projects:</p> <p><strong>Nuclear Deterrence and Escalation Management</strong></p> <p>The reemergence of great power competition combined with the expansion and modernization of nuclear arsenals worldwide has challenged long-held assumptions of nuclear non-use in crisis and conflict. In particular, Russian nuclear signaling, North Korean nuclear and missile activities, and expanding Chinese nuclear capability and capacity, combine to dramatically alter the international nuclear deterrence landscape. This line of effort considers what is needed to enhance U.S. deterrence against multiple nuclear-armed adversaries and manage escalation with adversaries in potential conflict. </p> <p><strong>Rebuilding the Arsenal of Democracy</strong></p> <p>The U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) has struggled to fulfill ally and partner security requirements while simultaneously meeting the demands of great power competition with the People’s Republic of China. This research area identifies the changes needed to create a DIB that is prepared, responsive, resilient, and capable of supporting the requirements of great power competition. </p> <p><strong>Improving Posture</strong></p> <p>The U.S. military posture—its forces, bases, and activities—not only enables rapid responses to crises but is also critical for extended deterrence. Yet a smaller American force struggles to meet the global demands for presence, while adversaries’ growing long-range precision strike capabilities hold U.S. bases and forces at risk. This line of effort seeks to develop new concepts and strategies to better manage limited resources, enhance force survivability, and strengthen power projection.</p> <p><strong>Enhancing Cooperation with Allies and Partners</strong></p> <p>U.S. allies and partners are as critical as ever to preserving deterrence in the face of opportunistic aggression by potential adversaries in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and beyond. However, significant political, legal, and technical barriers continue to impede greater strategic and operational integration among these nations. This research area identifies how the United States can integrate allies and partners into strategic and operational planning to strengthen deterrence in priority regions.</p> </div> <div class="wrapper -large -clear margin-vertical"> <h2 class="section-title margin-bottom-half-em">Research Team:</h2> <ul class="person-list"> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/stacie-pettyjohn" aria-label="Stacie Pettyjohn - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/Stacie-Pettyjohn-thumbnail.jpg 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/Stacie-Pettyjohn-thumbnail.jpg 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/stacie-pettyjohn">Stacie Pettyjohn</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Senior Fellow and Director, Defense Program</p> </li> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/becca-wasser" aria-label="Becca Wasser - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/BeccaWasser_Square.jpg 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/BeccaWasser_Square.jpg 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/becca-wasser">Becca Wasser</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Defense Program</p> </li> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/carlton-haelig" aria-label="Carlton Haelig - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/Haelig-thumbnail.png 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/Haelig-thumbnail.png 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/carlton-haelig">Carlton Haelig</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Fellow, Defense Program</p> </li> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/philip-sheers" aria-label="Philip Sheers - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/Philip-Sheers.jpeg 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/Philip-Sheers.jpeg 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/philip-sheers">Philip Sheers</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Research Assistant, Defense Program</p> </li> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/molly-campbell" aria-label="Molly Campbell - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/Molly_Campbell-2024-thumbnail.jpg 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/Molly_Campbell-2024-thumbnail.jpg 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/molly-campbell">Molly Campbell</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Research Assistant, Defense Program</p> </li> <li> <a class="team-link no-animated-link" href="https://www.cnas.org/people/jupiter-huang" aria-label="Jupiter Huang - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_120x120_crop_center-center_none/Jupiter-Huang-web-thumbnail.jpg 1x, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/thumbnails/_240x240_crop_center-center_none/Jupiter-Huang-web-thumbnail.jpg 2x" width="120" height="120" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <h3 class="h4 margin-bottom-half-em"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/people/jupiter-huang">Jupiter Huang</a> </h3> <p class="person-list__title">Intern, Defense Program</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <p class="center"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/support-cnas" class="button -solid">Support CNAS</a></p> <section class="featured-block margin-vertical-2x"> <h2 class="featured-block__title">Highlights</h2> <ul class="featured-listing"> <li> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/over-the-brink" aria-label="Over the Brink - image link"> <img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_600x360_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg" width="285" height="190" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Reports</span> </div> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/over-the-brink" class="sans-serif fz14 bold margin-top-half-em">Over the Brink</a> <p class="fz13 sans-serif margin-vertical-half-em"> A new era of nuclear deterrence is taking shape in the Indo-Pacific theater. As the People’s Republic of China (PRC) dramatically expands and modernizes its nuclear arsenal, t... </p> <p class="fz15 margin-top-half-em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Andrew Metrick, Philip Sheers & Stacie Pettyjohn </p> </li> <li> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/aiming-higher-accelerating-us-australia-cooperation-on-precision-guided-weapons" aria-label="Aiming higher: Accelerating US-Australia cooperation on precision-guided weapons - image link"> <img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_600x360_crop_center-center_none/U.S.-Australia-Missile-TEst.jpeg" width="285" height="190" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/aiming-higher-accelerating-us-australia-cooperation-on-precision-guided-weapons" class="sans-serif fz14 bold margin-top-half-em">Aiming higher: Accelerating US-Australia cooperation on precision-guided weapons</a> <p class="fz13 sans-serif margin-vertical-half-em"> Both the United States and Australia have made deterring coercion in the Indo-Pacific the focus of their defence strategies and plan to do so by denying an aggressor the abili... </p> <p class="fz15 margin-top-half-em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Stacie Pettyjohn </p> </li> <li> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/its-time-for-a-true-industrial-strategy-for-american-national-security" aria-label="It’s Time for a True Industrial Strategy for American National Security - image link"> <img src="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_600x360_crop_center-center_none/Ammunition-Production-Scranton.jpg" width="285" height="190" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/its-time-for-a-true-industrial-strategy-for-american-national-security" class="sans-serif fz14 bold margin-top-half-em">It’s Time for a True Industrial Strategy for American National Security</a> <p class="fz13 sans-serif margin-vertical-half-em"> For an industrial strategy to work, the president must make it a White House priority that pulls together all elements of national power.... </p> <p class="fz15 margin-top-half-em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Becca Wasser & Mara Rudman </p> </li> </ul> </section> </article> <section class="wrapper -extra-large margin-vertical-2x"> <h2 class="section-title margin-bottom-half-em">Recent Publications</h2> <div class="wrapper"> <ul class="entry-listing"> <li class="-with-image"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-developing-a-coordinated-u-s-australian-response-to-potential-chinese-aggression" target="" aria-label="More than the Sum of its Parts: Developing a Coordinated U.S.-Australian Response to Potential Chinese Aggression - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_165x110_crop_center-center_none/4528405.jpg 165w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_285x190_crop_center-center_none/4528405.jpg 285w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_400x267_crop_center-center_none/4528405.jpg 400w" sizes="(min-width: 600px) 285px, (min-width: 430px) 400px, calc(100vw - 30px)" width="400" height="267" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <ul class="entry-listing__meta"> <li>Carnegie Endowment for International Peace</li> <li>November 6, 2024</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-developing-a-coordinated-u-s-australian-response-to-potential-chinese-aggression" target="" class="sans-serif fz16 bold margin-top-half-em">More than the Sum of its Parts: Developing a Coordinated U.S.-Australian Response to Potential Chinese Aggression</a> <p class="fz15 margin-top-1em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Stacie Pettyjohn </p> </li> <li class="-with-image"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/its-time-for-a-true-industrial-strategy-for-american-national-security" target="" aria-label="It’s Time for a True Industrial Strategy for American National Security - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_165x110_crop_center-center_none/Ammunition-Production-Scranton.jpg 165w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_285x190_crop_center-center_none/Ammunition-Production-Scranton.jpg 285w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_400x267_crop_center-center_none/Ammunition-Production-Scranton.jpg 400w" sizes="(min-width: 600px) 285px, (min-width: 430px) 400px, calc(100vw - 30px)" width="400" height="267" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <ul class="entry-listing__meta"> <li>Breaking Defense</li> <li>October 21, 2024</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/its-time-for-a-true-industrial-strategy-for-american-national-security" target="" class="sans-serif fz16 bold margin-top-half-em">It’s Time for a True Industrial Strategy for American National Security</a> <p class="fz15 margin-top-1em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Becca Wasser & Mara Rudman </p> </li> <li class="-with-image"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/aiming-higher-accelerating-us-australia-cooperation-on-precision-guided-weapons" target="" aria-label="Aiming higher: Accelerating US-Australia cooperation on precision-guided weapons - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_165x110_crop_center-center_none/U.S.-Australia-Missile-TEst.jpeg 165w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_285x190_crop_center-center_none/U.S.-Australia-Missile-TEst.jpeg 285w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_400x267_crop_center-center_none/U.S.-Australia-Missile-TEst.jpeg 400w" sizes="(min-width: 600px) 285px, (min-width: 430px) 400px, calc(100vw - 30px)" width="400" height="267" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <ul class="entry-listing__meta"> <li>United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney</li> <li>September 27, 2024</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/aiming-higher-accelerating-us-australia-cooperation-on-precision-guided-weapons" target="" class="sans-serif fz16 bold margin-top-half-em">Aiming higher: Accelerating US-Australia cooperation on precision-guided weapons</a> <p class="fz15 margin-top-1em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Stacie Pettyjohn </p> </li> <li class="-with-image"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/there-are-no-magic-beans-easy-options-to-deter-china-militarily-do-not-exist" target="" aria-label="There Are No Magic Beans: Easy Options to Deter China Militarily Do Not Exist - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_165x110_crop_center-center_none/US-Navy-Pacific-Command-ANAWOW-page-Flickr.jpg 165w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_285x190_crop_center-center_none/US-Navy-Pacific-Command-ANAWOW-page-Flickr.jpg 285w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_400x267_crop_center-center_none/US-Navy-Pacific-Command-ANAWOW-page-Flickr.jpg 400w" sizes="(min-width: 600px) 285px, (min-width: 430px) 400px, calc(100vw - 30px)" width="400" height="267" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Commentary</span> </div> <ul class="entry-listing__meta"> <li>War on the Rocks</li> <li>August 23, 2024</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/there-are-no-magic-beans-easy-options-to-deter-china-militarily-do-not-exist" target="" class="sans-serif fz16 bold margin-top-half-em">There Are No Magic Beans: Easy Options to Deter China Militarily Do Not Exist</a> <p class="fz15 margin-top-1em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Tom Shugart </p> </li> <li class="-with-image"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/over-the-brink" target="" aria-label="Over the Brink - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_165x110_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 165w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_285x190_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 285w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_400x267_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 400w" sizes="(min-width: 600px) 285px, (min-width: 430px) 400px, calc(100vw - 30px)" width="400" height="267" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Reports</span> </div> <ul class="entry-listing__meta"> <li>August 6, 2024</li> </ul> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/over-the-brink" target="" class="sans-serif fz16 bold margin-top-half-em">Over the Brink</a> <p class="fz15 margin-top-1em"> <span class="screenreader-only">By</span> Andrew Metrick, Philip Sheers & Stacie Pettyjohn </p> </li> </ul> <p class="margin-top-1em"> <a href="/reports?area=strengthening-deterrence" class="button">View All Reports</a> <a href="/articles-multimedia?area=strengthening-deterrence" class="button">View All Articles & Multimedia</a> </p> </div> </section> <section class="wrapper -extra-large margin-vertical-2x"> <h2 class="section-title margin-bottom-half-em">Related Events</h2> <div class="wrapper -extra-large"> <div class="wrapper -extra-large -clear margin-vertical"> <div class="photo-listing -multiple -c3 "> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-over-the-brink-escalation-management-in-a-protracted-u-s-prc-conflict" aria-label="Virtual Event | Over the Brink: Escalation Management in a Protracted U.S.-PRC Conflict - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 768w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/_1140x684_crop_center-center_none/OvertheBrink_Cover_Web_2-mb.jpg 1140w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="1140" height="684" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-over-the-brink-escalation-management-in-a-protracted-u-s-prc-conflict">Virtual Event | Over the Brink: Escalation Management in a Protracted U.S.-PRC Conflict</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> Aug 8, 2024</p> <p> </p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-adapting-natos-nuclear-posture-to-current-threats" aria-label="Virtual Event | Adapting NATO's Nuclear Posture to Current Threats - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/NATO-Consensus.jpg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/NATO-Consensus.jpg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/NATO-Consensus.jpg 768w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="775" height="465" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-adapting-natos-nuclear-posture-to-current-threats">Virtual Event | Adapting NATO's Nuclear Posture to Current Threats</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> Jul 19, 2024</p> <p> </p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-avoiding-the-brink-escalation-management-in-a-war-to-defend-taiwan" aria-label="Virtual Event | Avoiding the Brink: Escalation Management in a War to Defend Taiwan - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/Avoiding-the-Bring-Defense-Hero.jpg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/Avoiding-the-Bring-Defense-Hero.jpg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/Avoiding-the-Bring-Defense-Hero.jpg 768w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/hero/_1140x684_crop_center-center_none/Avoiding-the-Bring-Defense-Hero.jpg 1140w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="1140" height="684" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-avoiding-the-brink-escalation-management-in-a-war-to-defend-taiwan">Virtual Event | Avoiding the Brink: Escalation Management in a War to Defend Taiwan</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> Apr 20, 2023</p> <p> </p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <p class="margin-top-1em"> <a href="/events?area=strengthening-deterrence" class="button">View All Events</a> </p> </div> </section> <section class="wrapper -extra-large margin-vertical-2x"> <h2 class="section-title margin-bottom-half-em">Related Press</h2> <div class="wrapper -extra-large"> <div class="wrapper -extra-large -clear margin-vertical"> <div class="photo-listing -multiple -c3 "> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/lockheed-martin-to-enhance-u-s-navy-mk-48-torpedo-in-245m-deal" aria-label="Lockheed Martin to Enhance U.S. Navy MK 48 Torpedo in $245M Deal - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/rebuilding-americas-military.jpg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/rebuilding-americas-military.jpg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/rebuilding-americas-military.jpg 768w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_1140x684_crop_center-center_none/rebuilding-americas-military.jpg 1140w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="1140" height="684" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/lockheed-martin-to-enhance-u-s-navy-mk-48-torpedo-in-245m-deal">Lockheed Martin to Enhance U.S. Navy MK 48 Torpedo in $245M Deal</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> Lockheed Martin has clinched a $245-million contract extension from the US Naval Sea Systems Command for the MK 48 Guidance and Control (G&amp;C) program. The G&amp;C componen... </p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/china-built-a-50-billion-military-stronghold-in-the-south-china-sea" aria-label="China Built a $50 Billion Military Stronghold in the South China Sea - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/China-aircraft-carrier.jpeg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/China-aircraft-carrier.jpeg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/China-aircraft-carrier.jpeg 768w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_1140x684_crop_center-center_none/China-aircraft-carrier.jpeg 1140w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="1140" height="684" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/china-built-a-50-billion-military-stronghold-in-the-south-china-sea">China Built a $50 Billion Military Stronghold in the South China Sea</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> Hainan, a palm-fringed island known as China’s Hawaii, sits in the warm tropical waters of the South China Sea east of Vietnam. It’s a popular tourist destination with soft-sa... </p> </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="photo-listing__item"> <div class="labeled-image"> <a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/scatter-and-survive-inside-a-u-s-military-shift-to-deny-china-big-juicy-targets" aria-label="Scatter and Survive: Inside a U.S. Military Shift to Deny China ‘Big, Juicy’ Targets - image link"> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" srcset=" https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_580x348_crop_center-center_none/Marines-Jungle.jpg 580w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_690x414_crop_center-center_none/Marines-Jungle.jpg 690w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_768x461_crop_center-center_none/Marines-Jungle.jpg 768w, https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/title/_1140x684_crop_center-center_none/Marines-Jungle.jpg 1140w" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1140px, (min-width: 600px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)" width="1140" height="684" class="desaturate" alt=""> </a> <span class="label">Defense</span> </div> <figcaption> <h2 class="h4"><a href="https://www.cnas.org/press/in-the-news/scatter-and-survive-inside-a-u-s-military-shift-to-deny-china-big-juicy-targets">Scatter and Survive: Inside a U.S. Military Shift to Deny China ‘Big, Juicy’ Targets</a></h2> <p class="margin-top-1em"> The remote Pacific airfield used to launch the atomic bombings of Japan during World War II is being revived with a different foe in mind: China. Runways emerging from the enc... </p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <p class="margin-top-1em"> <a href="/press?area=strengthening-deterrence" class="button">View All Press</a> </p> </div> </section> </main> <footer class="footer"> <div class="footer__inner"> <dl class="footer__contact-info"> <dt class="screenreader-only">Address:</dt> <dd> <span class="sprite -pin "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#pin"></use> </svg> </span> <span> Center for a New American Security<br> 1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW<br> Suite 700<br> Washington, DC 20006 </span> </dd> <dt class="screenreader-only">Phone:</dt> <dd> <span class="sprite -phone "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#phone"></use> </svg> </span> <span>(202) 457-9400</span> </dd> <dt class="screenreader-only">Email:</dt> <dd> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a63646c654a69646b792465786d"> <span class="sprite -email "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#email"></use> </svg> </span> <span><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bfd6d1d9d0ffdcd1decc91d0cdd8">[email protected]</span></span> </a> </dd> </dl> <ul class="footer__social-nav"> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/cnasdc"> <span class="sprite -twitter "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#twitter"></use> </svg> </span> <span>Twitter</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-a-new-american-security/"> <span class="sprite -linkedin "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#linkedin"></use> </svg> </span> <span>LinkedIn</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CNASdc"> <span class="sprite -youtube "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#youtube"></use> </svg> </span> <span>YouTube</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://instagram.com/cnasdc"> <span class="sprite -instagram "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#instagram"></use> </svg> </span> <span>Instagram</span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CNASdc"> <span class="sprite -facebook "> <svg width="16" height="16" class="svgsprite"> <use xlink:href="/assets/images/icons.svg?v=2#facebook"></use> </svg> </span> <span>Facebook</span> </a> </li> </ul> <ul class="footer__supplementary-nav"> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/mission">About</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/events">Events</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/careers/internships">Internships</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/careers">Careers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/support-cnas">Support CNAS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/join">Subscribe</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/press">Press</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cnas.org/contact">Contact</a></li> </ul> <p class="footer__copyright"> © 2025 Center for a New American Security. </p> </div> <div class="return-top"> <a href="#top" title="Return to top"> <img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="/assets/images/return-top-white.png"> </a> </div> </footer> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script src="https://www.cnas.org/assets/javascripts/app-83c83bd3c129aa526fb9.js"></script> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"http://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","author":{"@id":"#identity"},"copyrightHolder":{"@id":"#identity"},"copyrightYear":"2022","creator":{"@id":"#creator"},"dateCreated":"2022-05-06T15:43:29-04:00","dateModified":"2024-11-19T11:54:55-05:00","datePublished":"2022-05-06T15:43:29-04:00","description":"Developing strong, pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies.","headline":"Strengthening Deterrence","inLanguage":"en-us","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.cnas.org/research/defense/strengthening-deterrence","name":"Strengthening Deterrence","publisher":{"@id":"#creator"},"url":"https://www.cnas.org/research/defense/strengthening-deterrence"},{"@id":"#identity","@type":"LocalBusiness","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"1701 Pennsylvania Avenue"},"name":"Center for a New American Security (CNAS)","priceRange":"$"},{"@id":"#creator","@type":"Organization"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","description":"Breadcrumbs list","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.cnas.org","name":"Homepage","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.cnas.org/research/defense","name":"Defense","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.cnas.org/research/defense/strengthening-deterrence","name":"Strengthening Deterrence","position":3}],"name":"Breadcrumbs"}]}</script><script>window.rsk = "6LdYExsqAAAAAIQrguiy7V0Mzf19k4izriCKzUBJ"; 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