The emerging technologies that are the focus of this issue call into question whether strategic stability as it was originally conceptualized is still possible. Emerging technologies also have the potential to impact the psychology of human decision-making during crises in ways that undermine strategic stability. Emerging Technologies, Crisis Stability, and the Psychology of Decision-MakingIn its focus on the intersection of emerging technologies and strategic stability, this Roundtable examines not only how different characteristics of technology affect stability, but also how these characteristics interact with human choices and biases to impact crises. Emerging Technologies May Eventually Favor the DefenderIt is at least theoretically possible that emerging technologies will alter cost-benefit calculations to favor a defender by increasing the risk associated with preemption. Emerging technologies also influence strategic stability via a second path—their psychological impact on decision-makers.

Source: New York Times February 25, 2026 22:28 UTC