The Pentagon, caught between a budget cap on defense spending and a long wish list of expensive weapons programs, will need to choose between what is nice to have and what is necessary and affordable for maintaining national security. There are many past examples of the Pentagon planning for a large number of weapons and then being forced to adjust its expectations and reduce its purchase of weapons systems due to rising costs and under-performance.
25 Organizations Support Reducing Nuclear Spending
Dear Member of Congress, We are writing to urge you to sign on to the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act of 2015. The legislation’s lead sponsors are Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Maintaining the U.S. nuclear force within increasingly tight budgets will require the United States to […]
John Kerry Speaks on the 45th Anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
This year marks the 70th anniversary of nuclear bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. In addition, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force 45 years ago last week. This landmark treaty put a stop to the spread of nuclear weapons beyond five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and has been an enduring agreement that has made the world a safer place.
How Much are We Spending to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism?
The Obama administration has requested $12.6 billion for the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) as part of its Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Energy budget request. $1.9 billion of that request will go towards Defense Nuclear Non-Proliferation (DNN) programs tasked with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and materials. The programs facilitate cooperation with international partners to better secure, monitor, and dispose of vulnerable nuclear material (military and civilian) and other radiological waste.
US-Russia Arms Control Treaty- New START 4th Anniversary
Last week marked the 4 year anniversary of New START, the most recent arms control treaty responsible for further reductions to the bloated nuclear arsenals of both the United States and Russia. The treaty is a landmark agreement, demonstrating the value of diplomacy and the ability to increase security while simultaneously reducing both nuclear weapons and spending.
