The Iranian Association of International Studies International Relations Researches 2251-8444 4 13 2014 11 22 NATO Tactical Weapons in Europe: Towards Modernization or Elimination? NATO Tactical Weapons in Europe: Towards Modernization or Elimination? 1 200 41961 FA Robert Czulda Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Lodz, Poland Journal Article 2015 03 11 Almost throughout the Cold War (1945-1991) Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) had been one of the pillars of NATO’s doctrine of nuclear deterrence. These weapons were supposed to be used as an alternative for conventional weapons and forces, and in case of Soviet invasion against the Western Europe, to be used by NATO to counterattack and destroy military armored units and forces of WARSAW Pact. At the present, after many years passed since the end of the Cold War, the number of opposing groups to the maintenance of TNWs in NATO’s bases in Europe has increased as many experts believe that these weapons have little combat value from a military perspective. Despite this NATO’s member states have not taken any binding decisions for the future of their TNWs. The objective of this research work is to analyze and examine the attitude of NATO’s member states towards TNWs, their developing and changing trend and possible future scenarios. The basic question of this article is that: should NATO go for modernization of its TNWs, or it must try to eliminate them? Almost throughout the Cold War (1945-1991) Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) had been one of the pillars of NATO’s doctrine of nuclear deterrence. These weapons were supposed to be used as an alternative for conventional weapons and forces, and in case of Soviet invasion against the Western Europe, to be used by NATO to counterattack and destroy military armored units and forces of WARSAW Pact. At the present, after many years passed since the end of the Cold War, the number of opposing groups to the maintenance of TNWs in NATO’s bases in Europe has increased as many experts believe that these weapons have little combat value from a military perspective. Despite this NATO’s member states have not taken any binding decisions for the future of their TNWs. The objective of this research work is to analyze and examine the attitude of NATO’s member states towards TNWs, their developing and changing trend and possible future scenarios. The basic question of this article is that: should NATO go for modernization of its TNWs, or it must try to eliminate them? https://www.iisajournals.ir/article_41961_e28d0039d7a780948b4c5b8400671f94.pdf