by Kingston Reif As most observers of Capitol Hill know, the appropriations process for FY 2011 has been a disaster. The 111th Congress did not pass any of the 12 annual appropriations bills that would fund the government for the current fiscal year. An Omnibus appropriations bill that would have combined these 12 bills into […]
U.S. Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Europe Fact sheet
Definition Though there is no single agreed upon definition of a tactical nuclear weapon, it is generally characterized by a lower yield and shorter range than a long-range (strategic) nuclear weapon. Tactical nuclear weapons are also sometimes referred to as battlefield nuclear weapons. Estimated Numbers of Tactical Nuclear Weapons as of 2010 • U.S.: The […]
New START and Nuclear Modernization
by Kingston Reif Overview As it seeks to unilaterally and bilaterally reduce the role and number of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security policy, the Obama administration has also pledged to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent. This dual track approach comports with the recommendation of the bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Strategic […]
Widespread Bipartisan Support from the National Security Establishment and U.S. allies for New START
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates “The answer for successive presidents, as Secretary Clinton has said, of both parties, has always been with an agreement. The U.S. Senate has always agreed. The same answer holds true for New START. The U.S. is better off with this treaty than without it, and I am confident that it […]
Consequences of Failure of New START to Enter into Force
Gen. Chilton: Russians unconstrained, lose insight into Russian nuclear arsenal “Without New START, we would rapidly lose insight into Russian strategic nuclear force developments and activities, and our force modernization planning and hedging strategy would be more complex and more costly. Without such a regime, we would unfortunately be left to use worst-case analyses regarding […]
