On Monday, NoH wrote about a security breach at the Y-12 nuclear production facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It turns out that was not the end of the story. Responding to the breach, the contractor in charge of the Y-12 site, Babcock and Wilcox Y-12, has ordered a week long “security stand-down,” which will stop all production work at the facility. During the stand down, all special nuclear material will be placed into vaults or vault-type facilities.
Quote of the Day: GAO on Nuclear Targeting Edition
The fundamental objectives of U.S. nuclear deterrence policy have remained largely consistent since 1991, even as the threat environment and the size of the nuclear weapons stockpile have changed. The current process for developing nuclear targeting and employment guidance has remained consistent. However, the structure of the nuclear war plan, and the categories and number of targets in the plan, have changed. DOD continues to exercise civilian oversight of the targeting process. The indirect relationship between the targeting process and DOD’s determination of requirements for nuclear weapons and delivery systems also continues.
Fact Sheet: Catalogue of Nuclear Arms Control Agreements
Prepared by Ari Kattan For a PDF version of this fact sheet, click here.
Peace Activists Infiltrate Y-12 “Security” Complex
Perhaps Y-12 should rethink calling itself a “national security complex.” Over the weekend a group of protesters consisting of an octogenarian and two baby boomers infiltrated a high security area at the Y-12 nuclear weapons production facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Mitt Romney: Lost on Nuclear Weapons Policy
On July 24, presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivered a much-ballyhooed speech on foreign and defense policy before the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) annual convention. Those of you looking for some concrete policy proposals and insights into how Romney might address key national security issues and challenges if he’s elected likely came away […]
