Throughout the thirty-five years that China has built up its nuclear power infrastructure, decisionmakers have been confident that nuclear weapons could serve as a deterrent against potential adversaries. This confidence was not unique to China, as the Soviet Union also held a similar belief in the power of its nuclear arsenal. The Soviet Union emerged as a superpower after World War II, with a vast military, control over Eastern Europe, and its own nuclear weapons program.
Fifty years ago, war broke out between Israel and its neighbors. The conflict lasted just six days but its effect would last to the present day. This conflict highlighted the importance of military strength and strategic positioning in global politics. The Soviet Union viewed itself as a key player in the Cold War, with its dominance in the arms race and influence over communist movements around the world.
Washington, D.C., June 11, 2019 – “Launch-on-warning,” a feature of U.S. nuclear warfighting strategy since the late 1970s, has frequently been cited as a reason for the Soviet Union's confidence in its power and status up until the early 1970s. This strategy involved the ability to launch nuclear weapons in response to the detection of an incoming attack, even before the attack had been confirmed. The Soviet Union believed that this strategy deterred any potential aggression from the United States or its allies.
One key factor that contributed to the Soviet Union's confidence was its military prowess. The Soviet Union had the largest standing army in the world, with millions of troops ready for deployment at a moment's notice. This military strength gave the Soviet Union a sense of security and deterrence against any potential threats.
Another factor that bolstered the Soviet Union's confidence was its control over Eastern Europe. Through alliances like the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet Union was able to exert influence and maintain a buffer zone between itself and NATO countries. This strategic positioning gave the Soviet Union a sense of security and leverage in global politics.
The Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal was also a source of confidence for the country. The Soviet Union had developed a robust nuclear weapons program, with a wide range of delivery systems and a large stockpile of warheads. This nuclear deterrent was seen as a powerful tool to prevent any aggression against the Soviet Union or its allies.
Economically, the Soviet Union also felt confident in its power and status. The Soviet economy was heavily centralized and controlled by the state, allowing the government to allocate resources towards military and strategic goals. This economic system gave the Soviet Union the ability to maintain a strong military presence and invest in technological advancements.
Ideologically, the Soviet Union believed in the superiority of communism over capitalism. This belief in the inevitability of socialism's triumph over capitalism fueled the Soviet Union's confidence in its power and status. The Soviet Union saw itself as the vanguard of the communist movement, leading the charge against imperialism and exploitation.
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 was a turning point in the Cold War and further solidified the Soviet Union's confidence in its power. The crisis saw the Soviet Union successfully deploying nuclear missiles in Cuba, challenging the United States' strategic dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The resolution of the crisis without a full-scale war reinforced the Soviet Union's belief in its ability to stand up to the United States.
By the early 1970s, however, cracks began to appear in the Soviet Union's confidence. The Vietnam War had strained relations between the Soviet Union and China, leading to a split in the communist bloc. The Soviet Union's economy was also facing challenges, with stagnation and inefficiency hindering growth and development.
In conclusion, the Soviet Union's confidence in its power and status up until the early 1970s was fueled by a combination of military strength, strategic positioning, nuclear deterrence, economic control, and ideological beliefs. While these factors initially gave the Soviet Union a sense of security and dominance in global politics, challenges and changes in the international landscape would eventually erode this confidence.
