The public debate about the future of British nuclear weapons has traditionally been rather superficial and based on largely unexamined prejudices on both sides of the argument. This timely and balanced study from a wide range of experts, with differing views, calls for an open-minded and informed discussion of the subject. It is an excellent contribution to one of the most fundamental questions facing Britain today.

John Baylis, emeritus professor at Swansea University, UK

This book, with its contributions from a wide range of knowledgeable individuals, is an invaluable introduction to the complexity surrounding future UK decisions on its nuclear weaponry. Unfortunately many observers may be inclined to simplify the wide ranging political, military, domestic, global, regional, historical, technical, economic, alliance, strategic and normative issues inherent in debating the current and future UK Trident force by focusing their attention on very few of these perspectives. Yet these are decisions that deserve an in-depth and far reaching examination, given that decision-makers are being asked to make decisions which will influence the future of the UK for decades to come. The analyses in this text offer decision-makers and commentators key tools to grapple with the multiple issues relevant to making these future decisions, and should therefore be required reading for those directly involved in making and criticizing them.

John Simpson, OBE, professor of International Relations at the University of Southampton