Summary
Kahn argued that though nuclear war may seem highly unlikely, indeed unthinkable, to many people  it is not impossible. Today, four decades into the nuclear area, not thinking about nuclear war is no longer an option. Nuclear weapons exist and cannot be disinvented, writes Mr. Kahn, so it is crucial to maintain a military strong United States, while we make every effort to enhance deterrence. However, for a government to pursue deterrence at any cost, without contingency plans should its efforts fail, is not only irresponsible but immoral. Mr. Kahn supports no first use, which he began advocating more than twenty years ago; the only justification for maintaining a nuclear arsenal is to deter, balance, or correct the use of nuclear weapons by others. This thoughtful, comprehensive examination of nuclear war is vitally important as the last word on the subject by one of America’s most influential thinkers.