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Leveraging Latency: How the Weak Compel the Strong with Nuclear Technology
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Leveraging Latency: How the Weak Compel the Strong with Nuclear Technology

Over the last seven decades, some states successfully leveraged the threat of acquiring atomic weapons to compel concessions from superpowers. For many others, however, this coercive gambit failed to work. When does nuclear latency—the technical capacity to build the bomb—enable states to pursue effective coercion?

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By Tristan Volpe
Published on Feb 14, 2023

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Oxford University Press
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Nuclear Policy

The Nuclear Policy Program aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Our experts diagnose acute risks stemming from technical and geopolitical developments, generate pragmatic solutions, and use our global network to advance risk-reduction policies. Our work covers deterrence, disarmament, arms control, nonproliferation, and nuclear energy.

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About the Author

Tristan Volpe

Former Nonresident Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program

Tristan Volpe was a nonresident fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and assistant professor of defense analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School.

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Tristan Volpe
Former Nonresident Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program
Tristan Volpe

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Oxford University Press
Nuclear Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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