Part 1: the political context of deterrence; matching the future; a prescription for Britain. Part 2: defence - a sense of balance, Rt.Hon. George Younger, MP; US military power and global security, Admiral Crowe, USN; smart weapons - trends and capabilities, Dr A.R.Newbery; defence procurement and the impact of high technology, T.A.Campobasso; co-operation and competition - the western European contribution to Alliance security policies, Professor Sir Ronald Mason; the land battle and the army's needs, General Hans-Henning von Sandrart; the future of land/air warfare, General Sir Nigel Bagnall; air force capabilities, Lieutenant General Walter Schmitz; defence and international security - transatlantic perspectives, Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Dalton; future Alliance policies, Professor L.W.Martin.

A selection of ten lectures on the future of conventional deterrence is drawn together by a new essay on the subject. The study suggests how NATO policy, strategy and tactics must evolve to cope with new circumstances and limited budgets, and the role Britain should play in this.