text: execution of an atteck, thus liniting the damage. It is open to debate whether a nuclear var between the naJor nuclear Powers could be conducted r+ith such restraint, and there viI1 alvays be a very large risk of escalation. Hovever, some studies "efer to "limited attacks " in a centrat strategic context, and this subject lril1 be reviewed. in section D bel-ow. 179. In addition, one could conceive of other "Iimited" scenarios, which might have l-ess likelihood but which are technically feasible and. occasional-ly nentioned in the literature. Tbese will be the topic of this section. Some of them are clearfy related to a super-Pouer confl ict, but th. naJority pertain to nuclear ag6lression against non-nuclear-veapon States. If nuclear lreapons are furthe" proliferated 'and if no interventions or other sanctions have to he feared, that sort of aggression might become a realistic alternative in fut1:-Ie conflicts. In those hypothetical cases, nuclear weapons use may be limited because the aggressor has linited nuclear ne&ns , 1BO. At present, however, the basic situation I^Iou-Id be one where a State with an abrmdanc e of nuclear weapons decided to use sone of these weapons to enforce its \^'ill upon a non-nuclear*qeapon State. (To decide to do so, one wouLd require a virtual certainty that the action did not trigger a large nucfear conflict.) In this case, other lirnitabions could apply " 181. Such linitations shou]-d not be thought of as simpJ-y a natter of the nurber of weapons employed, as the launching of even one nuclear weapon represents a most serious decision. Political and military constraints woufd most probably appl-y to the d.ecision and determine vhat ?estTictions rnight exist concerning the nature and location of the targets. This cou1d. for instance, imply that certain areas or
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the concept of limited nuclear attacks and the potential risks and constraints involved in such scenarios. It mentions the possibility of nuclear aggression against non-nuclear weapon states and the need for restraint to avoid escalation. The text also touches on the idea of political and military constraints that might limit the nature and location of targets in such a scenario.