An Analysis Of Reasons For The Different Reaction Of The United States On His Alliances' Nuclear Program

In recent years,the nuclear security and inhibition study has undergone a renaissance.Since U.S.is an important supporter of the international regime,the study of nuclear policies will further our understanding on relevant problems.With the help of newly declassified documents of U.S.diplomatic files and other advantages,it is possible to re-examine and scan the U.S.nuclear inhibition policy.This thesis holds that,the inhibition policy did not receive enough attention as a great strategy of the United States for a long time.Although the specific policy differs from the international environments and the administration,inhibition has always been one of the most important goals of U.S.foreign policy,because of the domestic political pressure and the policy inertia.In the practice of inhibition,the result of U.S.allies' nuclear program and the reacts of the U.S.are different.This thesis takes the West Germany and Israel from 1950s to 1960s as examples to discuss what makes the difference.The thesis first clarifies that nuclear inhibition is the great strategy of the United States.Although the U.S.takes different means at different stages,the strategic goal of preventing other countries from have independent nuclear power is always clear.Even if other countries acquired nuclear weapons,the efforts of inhibition did not even stop.This thesis holds that,the factors,like relative strength,security commitments provided by allies,the external threats,and the cost of the nuclear program,will affect the opportunity and willingness,which will finally exert an impact on the result of the country's nuclear program.Israel has a strong desire to develop nuclear weapons facing the Arabia state,and its effective means of secrecy and delay provide a good environment and opportunity for the development of nuclear power.West Germany's nuclear aims is limited,its geographical location and dependence on the conventional forces of the U.S.made West Germany little opportunity.In terms of Israel Nuclear program,America neither has effective strategy and appropriate policy levers,nor develops a specific way to pressing.Together with the limitations of the American domestic politics,America reluctantly adopts the policy of"No introduction,no test,no announcement" as the final choice in order to prevent further proliferation.In West Germany case,the U.S.has adequate means and levers to pressing West Germany to give up its nuclear program,also other allies in Western Europe has a great impact on American policy.Therefore,the West Germany has not been able to succeed even with its limited nuclear aims.The goals of the strategies of inhibition is multi-layered.In reacting to a specific country,what level of goals can be achieved depends on the proliferator themselves,the means and levers that the United States can use in specific cases,the American domestic interest group,the other allies and the enemy's influence,and so on.The United States still make efforts to promote the inhibition even it does not achieve the best goal.Moreover,it cannot be regarded as a failure of nuclear inhibition policy.