Should the United States Maintain the Nuclear Triad?

Should the United States Maintain the Nuclear Triad? PDF Author: Adam B. Lowther
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear arms control
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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Book Description
"Some past and present members of the military leadership hold a view that supports the nuclear arsenal. Senior leaders have given a number of public speeches and interviews outlining what it will take to maintain and modernize the most advanced and secure nuclear arsenal in the world. A key aspect of the general position held by supporters of the nuclear arsenal includes retaining the triad and replacing aging platforms. In the ongoing debate over the appropriate size and purpose of the nuclear arsenal, abolitionists--clearly in the ascendency--make six basic arguments that would ultimately lead to creation of a nuclear monad before reaching total disarmament. Admittedly, each of these arguments has some element of truth; they do not, however, represent a complete understanding of the strategic role played by nuclear weapons in ensuring the sovereignty of the United States or the specific contribution of each leg of the triad. Although each of the abolitionists' arguments deserves a detailed refutation, a focus on the relevance of the triad must suffice."--Abstract.

Should the United States Maintain the Nuclear Triad?

Should the United States Maintain the Nuclear Triad? PDF Author: Adam B. Lowther
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nuclear arms control
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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Book Description
"Some past and present members of the military leadership hold a view that supports the nuclear arsenal. Senior leaders have given a number of public speeches and interviews outlining what it will take to maintain and modernize the most advanced and secure nuclear arsenal in the world. A key aspect of the general position held by supporters of the nuclear arsenal includes retaining the triad and replacing aging platforms. In the ongoing debate over the appropriate size and purpose of the nuclear arsenal, abolitionists--clearly in the ascendency--make six basic arguments that would ultimately lead to creation of a nuclear monad before reaching total disarmament. Admittedly, each of these arguments has some element of truth; they do not, however, represent a complete understanding of the strategic role played by nuclear weapons in ensuring the sovereignty of the United States or the specific contribution of each leg of the triad. Although each of the abolitionists' arguments deserves a detailed refutation, a focus on the relevance of the triad must suffice."--Abstract.

Restricted Data

Restricted Data PDF Author: Alex Wellerstein
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022602038X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 558

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Book Description
"Nuclear weapons, since their conception, have been the subject of secrecy. In the months after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the American scientific establishment, the American government, and the American public all wrestled with what was called the "problem of secrecy," wondering not only whether secrecy was appropriate and effective as a means of controlling this new technology but also whether it was compatible with the country's core values. Out of a messy context of propaganda, confusion, spy scares, and the grave counsel of competing groups of scientists, what historian Alex Wellerstein calls a "new regime of secrecy" was put into place. It was unlike any other previous or since. Nuclear secrets were given their own unique legal designation in American law ("restricted data"), one that operates differently than all other forms of national security classification and exists to this day. Drawing on massive amounts of declassified files, including records released by the government for the first time at the author's request, Restricted Data is a narrative account of nuclear secrecy and the tensions and uncertainty that built as the Cold War continued. In the US, both science and democracy are pitted against nuclear secrecy, and this makes its history uniquely compelling and timely"--

The Future of the U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force

The Future of the U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force PDF Author: Lauren Caston
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833076264
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 185

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Book Description
The authors assess alternatives for a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) across a broad set of potential characteristics and situations. They use the current Minuteman III as a baseline to develop a framework to characterize alternative classes of ICBMs, assess the survivability and effectiveness of possible alternatives, and weigh those alternatives against their cost.

Busting Myths about Nuclear Deterrence - America Does Not Use Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Weapons Have Only Limited Utility for Their Cost, Nukes Are Going Away, U. S. Can Deter with Submarines Alone

Busting Myths about Nuclear Deterrence - America Does Not Use Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Weapons Have Only Limited Utility for Their Cost, Nukes Are Going Away, U. S. Can Deter with Submarines Alone PDF Author: U. S. Military
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781521134658
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Book Description
This unique study analyzes four myths about American nuclear weapons and the nuclear deterrence they provide. America is embarked on a quest for a world without nuclear weapons, but we live in a world not yet safe from war and threats of war. Hence, as long as nuclear weapons exist, the United States must maintain a safe, secure, and effective arsenal--both to deter potential adversaries and to assure US allies and other security partners that they can count on US security commitments. Our nuclear posture communicates to potential nuclear-armed adversaries that they cannot use nuclear threats to intimidate the United States, its allies, or partners or escalate their way out of failed conventional aggression. The United States Air Force (USAF) will continue to maintain its responsibilities as steward of two of the nation's three legs of the strategic nuclear triad and the nation's associated nuclear command, control, and communications infrastructure.Since the Cold War, three states (India, Pakistan, and North Korea) have developed nuclear-weapon capabilities, while Iran remains on course to do so. Moreover, ongoing nuclear modernization programs in China and Russia point to the continued importance of nuclear deterrence and assurance for our allies and partners. Some countries now have military doctrines that include potential first use of nuclear weapons in a militarized crisis, and these countries regularly exercise those doctrines. These threats require the United States to seriously consider its responsibility to educate and advocate for the commitment and investment needed to sustain nuclear deterrence capabilities in a dangerous world.

The End of Overkill

The End of Overkill PDF Author: Benjamin Friedman
Publisher: Cato Institute
ISBN: 1939709334
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
U.S. security does not require nearly 1,600 nuclear weapons deployed on a triad of systems—bombers, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs)—to deliver them. A new paper from Benjamin H. Friedman, Christopher A. Preble and Matt Fay encourages abandonment of the triad and skepticism about the received wisdom justifying U.S. nuclear weapons’ policies. The authors suggest that shifting to a submarine-based monad would serve U.S. deterrent needs and eventually save taxpayers roughly $20 billion a year.

Evaluation of the U.S. Strategic Nuclear Triad

Evaluation of the U.S. Strategic Nuclear Triad PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Book Description


U. S. Strategic Nuclear Forces

U. S. Strategic Nuclear Forces PDF Author: Amy F. Woolf
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437920438
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
Contents: (1) Introduction; (2) Background: The Strategic Triad: Force Structure and Size During the Cold War; Force Structure and Size After the Cold War; Future Force Structure and Size; (3) Strategic Nuclear Delivery Vehicles: Ongoing Plans and Programs: (a) Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles: Peacekeeper; Minuteman III; Minuteman Modernization Programs; Future Programs; (b) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles: The SSGN Program; The Backfit Program; Basing Changes; Warhead Issues; Modernization Plans and Programs; Future Programs; (c) Bombers: B-1 Bomber; B-2 Bomber; B-52 Bomber; Future Bomber Plans; (4) Issues for Congress: Force Size; Force Structure; Safety, Security, and Management Issues. Illustrations.

United States Strategic Nuclear Modernization Over the Next Thirty Years

United States Strategic Nuclear Modernization Over the Next Thirty Years PDF Author: Jon B. Wolfsthal
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780989236140
Category : Military planning
Languages : en
Pages : 29

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Book Description
The report concludes that the United States will likely spend over $1 trillion during the next three decades to maintain its current nuclear arsenal and purchase their replacement systems. The necessary level of procurement spending, as a percentage of the defense budget, will peak at levels comparable to the Reagan-era build-up of nuclear forces. To date, few senior officials from the White House or Department of Defense or in the Congress have publicly acknowledged or laid out the full scale of these costs to the American public. This lack of public debate will likely lead to sticker shock as the full cost of these programs come due, leading to budget cuts and program delays. The report relies on the government's own budget projections, including planned investments.

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy PDF Author: William James Perry
Publisher: Council on Foreign Relations
ISBN: 0876094205
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
The report notes that in the near term nuclear weapons will remain a fundamental element of U.S. national security. For this reason it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe, secure, and reliable deterrent nuclear force and makes recommendations on this front. The report also offers measures to advance important goals such as preventing nuclear terrorism and bolstering the nuclear nonproliferation regime--Foreword.

Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty First Century

Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty First Century PDF Author: Daniel J. Voorhies
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deterrence (Strategy)
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
"As we enter into the second decade of the 21st century, over twenty years has lapsed since the end of the Cold War, however the United States of America is still faced with a nuclear weapons threat. This threat no longer originates from just one nation, but now arises from multiple countries. Former and potential adversaries are modernizing their current capabilities or developing new systems all together. Other countries are taking steps towards joining this 'club' of nuclear-armed nations developing both the warhead and delivery system alike. While others are developing their capabilities, there is a strong push urging the United States to lead the world and go to nuclear-zero. Every United States President since Truman has wanted to reduce or eliminate nuclear weapons. This is a noble and honorable goal, but one that has many challenges as the United States does not hold a monopoly on these weapons. It is essential that United States maintains the current Strategic Nuclear Triad well into the future."--Abstract.