Does Latent Nuclear Deterrence Really Work?

In 2025, Matthew Fuhrmann wrote, “U. S. Allies and Adversaries Are Attempting Nuclear Deterrence Without Weapons – Will It Work?

,” where he argued countries don’t always need to go as far as actually building nuclear weapons to reap the benefits of nuclear deterrence. A year later, we asked Matthew to revisit his arguments.

Image: MidjourneyIn your 2025 article, you argued countries don’t necessarily have to follow through with building nuclear weapons to reap the benefits of nuclear deterrence, a strategy you called latent nuclear deterrence.

Which countries do you think stand to gain the most from this strategy, given the significant and, The post Does Latent Nuclear Deterrence Really Work? appeared first on War on the Rocks.