DIME-Droppers on Eastern Fronts: In God We Trusted? A Case Study Analysis into the Deterring Cross-Domain Signals of China, Russia, and the US

Abstract: This thesis contributes to the cross-domain deterrence literature by examining how states use their various sources of power across its Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic (DIME) instruments in order to determine the outcome of immediate deterrence stand-offs. With the increased complexities nation-states face in the 21st century, an update of the old framework was overdue. This study considers the Taiwan Strait Crisis and the Russian Invasion in Ukraine to expand the military-focused literature to incorporate all different sources of state power. This paper finds that cross-domain signals, through an interaction of the bargaining position and bargaining power, decide the outcome of immediate deterrence cases.