Deterrence, Escalation, and the Offence-Defence Balance: Considerations for UK Maritime Strategy

Deterrence, Escalation, and the Offence-Defence Balance: Considerations for UK Maritime Strategy

12 Sep 24
Posted by: Lt Cdr David Blagden RNR
16 minutes, 28 seconds read
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Channeling Stephen Biddle’s concept of systemic military technology and Herman Kahn’s escalation ladder, the author considers potential contemporary scenarios impacting the preservation of deterrence for the UK’s Armed Forces. A 15 minute read.

The contemporary strategic environment of intensifying major-power competition creates perilous incentives for hostile states to escalate to conflict – and to further escalate such a conflict once it starts – in the hopes of attaining competitive advantage. Since such escalation could do grievous harm to the UK and our interests, its avoidance is a topic of renewed importance. This article, derived from a discussion paper prepared for the RN Strategic Studies Centre, therefore explores a number of related escalation concerns relevant to contemporary UK maritime strategy. Its focus…

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