Contriving Imaginary Gaps in Nuclear Deterrence (warontherocks.com)

• Former DOE official Jay Tilden challenges the notion of a US deterrence gap in low-yield nuclear weapons.
• Argues that public debate about US weaknesses could embolden adversaries like China and Russia.
• Suggests that weapon programs like the W76-2 and SLCM-N are driven by exaggerated gap claims.

"The article by Jay Tilden argues that the perceived US deterrence gap in low-yield nuclear weapons is exaggerated and often driven by institutional interests. He warns that public hand-wringing over such gaps may embolden adversaries and constrain presidential decision-making, advocating instead for strategic ambiguity and cautioning against self-imposed limitations like proportional response."