On the topic of nuclear proliferation, we know (more or less) what the media is saying, what the Democrats are saying, and what the Republicans are saying but what hasn’t been shared is the collective voice of the American people.
Nuclear Weapons: It Is Important to Continue Drawing Down
John and I published an op-ed on US nuclear posture in the Fall 2012 edition of Veterans Vision, a publication that has “focused the experience and dedication of the leaders of America and veterans on the challenges facing the country.”
2012 DNC Platform on Nuclear Weapons
As the Democratic National Convention continues this week in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Obama Administration and the Democratic Party have reasserted their intent to move towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The Democratic Party Platform released Monday states, “[we] believe we must address the threat that nuclear weapons pose to our security and to peace in the world.” It then adds, “President Obama and the Democratic Party are committed to preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons and to eventually ridding the planet of these catastrophic weapons.” Also outlined in the platform are the party’s stances toward Iran, Russia, North Korea, securing loose nuclear materials, reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles and warheads, and preventing nuclear proliferation.
Cold comfort – And a few more thoughts on extended deterrence
The problem with relying on tactical nuclear weapons as tools of extended deterrence is that they are archaic arms that serve no demonstrable military purpose, and their growing financial and opportunity costs outweigh any assurance benefit. In the event of a nuclear attack against an ally, the presence of these weapons on their territory will not increase the likelihood of a US nuclear response. In so far as nuclear weapons play a role in assuring allies, US strategic nuclear forces do the heavy-lifting.
Hodgepodge: New Info on CMRR/UPF, US tac nukes in Europe, and Chinese nuclear modernization
As I’ve written previously, combing responses to questions for the record (QFRs) from Members of Congress after Congressional hearings can reveal all sorts of interesting information, assuming they’re made available by the Government Printing Office or Steve Aftergood over at the Federation of American Scientists manages to get his hands on a copy and share it with the world.
