During his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson provided some of the first concrete indications of the incoming Trump administration’s positions on nuclear weapons issues. By and large, to the extent that Mr. Tillerson represents future stances of the Trump administration, his testimony was very encouraging on nuclear questions. This is particularly good news, […]
North Korea Conducts Largest Nuclear Test Yet
As North Korea’s fifth nuclear test and other provocative activities show, time is not on our side.
The Second Coming of MIRVs
By: Cassandra Peterson One of President Obama’s overlooked nuclear weapons milestones is altering the U.S. arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to carry only one warhead. Previously, U.S. Minuteman 3 ICBMs could carry three multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). This “de-MIRVing” process, according to the Obama Administration, allows the U.S. to “enhance the stability […]
Sanctions are not a Useful Response to North Korea’s Latest Test
It’s an unfortunate reality that’s often left unsaid: sharp rhetoric and tough international sanctions haven’t deterred North Korea from developing its nuclear weapons program. But American political leaders across the ideological spectrum haven’t been paying attention. Responding to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously on January 28 to advance […]
U.S. Defense Spending Vs. Global Defense Spending
According to the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database 2015, in 2014, the U.S. approved $609.9 billion in defense budget authority (fiscal year 2014 dollars). This figure includes funding for the Pentagon base budget, money allocated for the Pentagon in the Overseas Contingency Operations fund, and defense related activities in the 050 budget function. It also includes Department of Energy-administered atomic energy defense activities.
