I
118THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. R. 5226
To direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with a univer-
sity affiliated research center to conduct research and analysis on
multipolar deterrence and escalation dynamics.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST18, 2023
Mr. B
ACONintroduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Armed Services
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agree-
ment with a university affiliated research center to con-
duct research and analysis on multipolar deterrence and
escalation dynamics.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Multipolar Deterrence 4
Research and Analysis Act of 2023’’. 5
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•HR 5226 IH
SEC. 2. RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS ON MULTIPOLAR DETER-1
RENCE AND ESCALATION DYNAMICS. 2
(a) I
NGENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 3
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 4
shall seek to enter into an agreement with a university 5
affiliated research center with expertise in strategic deter-6
rence to conduct research and analysis on multipolar de-7
terrence and escalation dynamics. 8
(b) E
LEMENTS.—The research and analysis con-9
ducted under subsection (a) shall include assessment of 10
the following: 11
(1) Implications for strategic deterrence and al-12
lied assurance given the emergence of a second near- 13
peer nuclear power. 14
(2) Potential alternative conventional, strategic, 15
and nuclear force structures to optimize deterrence 16
of two near- peer nuclear powers. 17
(3) The contribution made by countervailing 18
nonstrategic capabilities to strategic deterrence. 19
(4) Escalation patterns arising from Russia’s 20
Strategic Operations to Destroy Critically Important 21
Targets operational concept and response options for 22
the United States. 23
(5) Multilateral efforts that could contribute to 24
multipolar strategic deterrence and escalation dy-25
namics. 26
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(6) Capabilities and operations sufficient to as-1
sure European and Pacific allies. 2
(c) R
EPORTREQUIRED.— 3
(1) I
N GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 4
2025, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 5
congressional defense committees a report that in-6
cludes the results of the research and analysis con-7
ducted under subsection (a). 8
(2) F
ORM.—The report under paragraph (1) 9
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may in-10
clude a classified annex. 11
(d) C
ONGRESSIONAL DEFENSECOMMITTEESDE-12
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘congressional defense 13
committees’’ has the meaning given that term in section 14
101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code. 15
Æ
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