Avery Snyder
Maj, USAF,AIR UNIVERSITY , USA
Title: Electromagnetic Pulse: Importance to Deterrence and Dissuasion
Biography
Biography: Avery Snyder
Abstract
Discussion on deterrence is nearly always focused on threat of retaliation, such as mutually- assured destruction. Threat of retaliation relies on convincing the deterred of both capability and will to retaliate; reduction of either diminishes the threat. This concept describes deterrence by punishment, but there is a complimentary form, deterrence by denial, also known as dissuasion. This research presents deterrence by denial on equal footing with deterrence by punishment, and presents an equation similarly related to convincing the dissuaded of resilience to and protection against attack. Further, defense is presented as a product of deterrence and dissuasion. Dissuasion is an important concept; it is necessary to understand how U.S. vulnerabilities, such as civilian critical infrastructure, can undermine national defense through its diminishing influence on dissuasion. Critical infrastructure, such as national electric power grids, are susceptible to electromagnetic pulse events, both man-made and naturally-caused. U.S. EMP vulnerability will continue to undermine national defense until its critical infrastructure and military systems are publicly and credibly resilient.