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Christopher Chyba, Woodrow Wilson School Professor of Astrophysical Sciences and International Affairs has co-authored and edited a new book titled "U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy: Confronting Today's Threats" (September 2006, Brookings Institution Press). Co-edited with Ambassador George Bunn, and with a foreword by former Secretary of Defense William Perry, Chyba and contributing authors discuss the evolution of the United States' nuclear weapons strategic policies and analyzes current tactical strategies.

The authors note that the end of the Cold War diffused much of the concern of a nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. That respite, however, was short lived. The new threat of nuclear terrorism in the hands of non-state actors emerged in the late 1990s. The 9/11 attacks underscored this new danger. As Secretary Perry notes, if Osama bin Laden and his followers get their hands on nuclear weapons, "they will use them."

The writers assert that strategically what worked before will not work now. States Chyba, "Given the seriousness of the threat of nuclear terrorism, it is imperative that we change the way we think about nuclear weapons. We must recognize that the strategy and programs designed to prevent a nuclear holocaust during the cold war are inappropriate for preventing nuclear terrorism."

Chyba writes that the book's goal is to "influence policy makers and, as much as possible, the public. In particular, with the November elections and then presidential season upon us, we hope to impact candidates' thinking on where U.S. nuclear weapons policy should go next--regardless of which party brings the new administration to Washington."