Flexible Targeting, Escalation Control, And War in Europe

U.S. declaratory and employment policies have been modified toward escalation control and flexible targeting for war in Europe. These efforts, however useful in principle, are unlikely to make much difference given political constraints within which targeting and war plans must operate. Europeans fear the possibility of a general nuclear, regional nuclear, or conventional war. No U.S. declaratory policies can reassure them that NATO/Warsaw Pact war in Europe can be controlled, should deterrence fail. European emphases upon deterrence and detente will continue to contrast with American interest in defense and credible, controlled war-fighting capabilities.