Study: Go Ballistic

A recently released study commissioned by the U.S. Strategic Command gives new meaning to the phrase, "Go ballistic."

When threatening rogue states with nuclear destruction, the United States shouldn't appear too rational, a review written for the U.S. Strategic Command in 1995 suggested. Sections of the review, "Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence," were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the British American Security Information Council, a London and Washington-based think tank.

Allowing some elements of the military to "appear potentially 'out of control' can be beneficial" in creating doubts in the minds of U.S. enemies, the review said. "That the U.S. may become irrational and vindictive if its vital interests are attacked should be part of the national persona we project to all adversaries."

The 1995 review was prepared by a contractor for the military, U.S. Strategic Command spokesman Lt. Col. Phil Hutchison said. The command, commonly known as STRATCOM, oversees the nation's strategic nuclear arsenal. Hutchison described the document as a "think piece."

"The 1995 document is not an official STRATCOM policy," Hutchison said. "It didn't result in any changes in policy. There's not a heavy degree of censorship put on these think pieces."

The British American Security Information Council included excerpts from the 1995 review in a new report on the future of U.S. nuclear strategy. The report's author, Hans M. Kristensen, argues that American efforts to create a global nuclear capability undermine the disarmament process.