STRENGTHENING DETERRENCE: NATO and the Credibility of Western Defense in the 1980s calls for the Allies to jointly solve the problems now challenging the entire Western world. It advocates close and open discussion as the only hope for finding the common solutions that history now demands.

The fourth study by the Atlantic Council on the security concerns of the Atlantic Allies, STRENGTHENING DETERRENCE explores the modern abuses of military power by major states: intimidation, support of insurrection, and support for the overthrow of established governments by means short of war.

The book examines the significance for NATO of the growing Soviet military power and the growing shortfalls in NATO's defense, including the loss of Western nuclear superiority.

Finally, STRENGTHENING DETERRENCE seeks to identify the major divisions within the Alliance which increasingly endanger the continued solidarity and common purpose of this essential coalition.