INSTRUCTIONS: Choose one question from Group A and all students answer the one question in Group B for a total of 2 essays to complete your midterm. Answers should be no longer than 5 pages in TOTAL for both essays, using New Times Roman, font 11.
Group A
1) During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. and the Soviet Union nearly went to war, threatening the entire world with a strategic nuclear exchange. As a result of that crisis, what have countries done to reduce the threat of nuclear war, including treaties and agreements on nuclear weapons and delivery systems?
2) The U.S. developed a First Strike policy in NATO to address the conventional forces superiority of the Soviet Union in Europe. Discuss the pros and cons of such a policy during the Cold War and after the Soviet Union collapsed, since nuclear use is likely to lead to total nuclear war.
Group B
3) Kissinger talks about “massive response” and “mutual assured destruction” in his book Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy. Today nine states possess nuclear weapons, creating nuclear multi-polarity as described by James Acton in Deterrence during Disarmament. Drawing from the readings and class lectures, please discuss how American nuclear deterrence policy is still effective today against Russia, China and the serious nuclear threats posed by Iran and North Korea.