The Impact of Nuclear Weapons Security Measures on Brinkmanship Conflict Outcomes: A Comparative Case Study of the Pakistan-India Border Conflict and U.S.-Russian Tensions Over the War in Ukraine

Name: Cory Edward Horgan
Major: Political Science (International Relations concentration)
Minor: Religious Studies
Advisor: Jeffrey Lantis; Kent Kille

This study explores how levels of nuclear weapons security measures influence instances of brinkmanship conflict. In specific, this study examines six nuclear weapons security measures using open-source evidence and generates scores in those measures for Pakistan, India, the US, and Russia. The security measure scores work in tandem with an evaluation of India/Pakistan Line of Control conflicts and US/Russia tensions over the war in Ukraine to offer an answer to the research question. This study hypothesizes that if countries implement levels of nuclear defense measures with advanced technology, then they experience success within instances of nuclear brinkmanship. This study uses the comparative case study method to gather data on their levels of nuclear security measures and instances of nuclear brinkmanship. This study’s foundation comes from an understanding that the quality of a country’s nuclear weapons security is vital to upholding global security stability. What causes the outbreak and outcomes of brinkmanship conflict is essential to minimizing nuclear tension and the possibility of nuclear use and war.

Around my sophomore year I found my interest in security studies and nuclear weapons. This project excites me because it is the culmination of my interests and is my first step into the world of security studies. I would love to come back to this thesis sometime in the future and finish an analysis of the Russo-Ukrainian War once it concludes. I see immense room for growth if a future scholar would have access to non-open-source resources for this research.

Posted in Comments Enabled, Independent Study, Symposium 2023 on April 13, 2023.

2 responses to “The Impact of Nuclear Weapons Security Measures on Brinkmanship Conflict Outcomes: A Comparative Case Study of the Pakistan-India Border Conflict and U.S.-Russian Tensions Over the War in Ukraine”

1. James says:

   April 21, 2023 at 9:45 am

   Incredibly relevant study in today’s geo-political world of complex international relation issues.

2. Mary Neagoy says:

   April 21, 2023 at 4:32 pm

   Congratulations on your IS, Cory. I enjoyed your talk today!