i;.ritr"y planners d.o nol exclud'e the integration of these weapons into the order of battie in certain theatres, larticularly nurope. This could therefore lend credibility to the possible use of nuclear weapons in a conflictr e'8', one which began l,ith an attack by conventional forces. Also in orde" that the mere existence of nucl-ear weapons can be perceived as a threat in certain crisis situations. lilxen tlle t u.pon" exist there is also the possibility of their accidental or unintentional use" teading to wj d'er consequences' 3Tl.BecauseoftheexjStenceofnuclearll'eapons'thoseStateswhichdonotpossess them have chosen various means to shield themselves against the possibility of nuclear attack. one aspect is the consj.deration ttrat possession of nuclear weapons might invite a nuclear threat or attack' But some non-nuclear weapon Stales consid.er that the absence of a pledge on the part of the nuclear' weapon Powers that they i"'i11 not use nuclear weapons against non''nuclear -weapon States under any circu:nstances undermines the vali'dity of this proposition' 3?2. Sorae States have sought further protection against nucleal' attack by entering into an al]iance with a nuclear-veapon State, providing a "nuclear umbrella" " sometimes by accepting nucleax *..pots based on their soil' This question is further d.iscussed in the foll-owing section, "Nuclear weaFons and. regional securityrt. Other non 'nuclear-weapon States pursue the obverse approach and seek guarantles that they vil] not be subJect to use" or threat of use ' of nuclear i".pon" by nuclear-weapon States' A number of States have proposed in international forums that nuclear-weapon States should aceept treaty obligations to eschew the use of nuclear Lteapons. such proposals have general-ly not been supported by the nuclear-weapon 3ttt."' These ttnegative" security assurances a?e d.iscussed further in chapter VII' 3?3. The questi'on then remains to vhs't extent non-nuclear-weapon States could deter
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the role of nuclear weapons in international relations, specifically the concerns of non-nuclear weapon states about the threat of nuclear attack and their attempts to seek security assurances. The language used is technical and diplomatic, suggesting a focus on international relations and politics rather than a specific sector like economy or education.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology