NCJ Number
193874
Date Published
2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In completing a nuclear posture review of America’s nuclear forces over the next 5 to 10 years, this paper presents the Defense Department’s summary of the Nuclear Posture Review report, outside of its complete context, indicating a new strategy in reducing the deployment of nuclear weapons and increasing flexibility in the strategic posture.
Abstract
Due to the United States new security environment, the Defense Department was pushed to develop a strategic posture for the 21st Century. The Defense Department’s Nuclear Posture Review put in motion a major change in the Department’s approach to the role of nuclear offensive forces in their deterrent strategy and presented the blueprint for transforming their strategic posture. The Nuclear Posture Review report was built upon the Quadrennial Defense Review under President Bush’s direction. A New Triad bound by enhanced command and control and intelligence systems was established and discussed in the Nuclear Posture Review report. The New Triad includes: (1) offensive strike systems; (2) both active and passive defenses; and (3) a revitalized defense infrastructure. This New Triad is seen as reducing the dependence on nuclear weapons and improving the ability to deter attack in the face of proliferating weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities. This paper presents a summary of the highlights in the report that include: (1) the United States would no longer plan, size or sustain its forces in Russia, recognizing the reduced threat posed by the former Soviet Union; and (2) a strategic posture relying solely on offensive nuclear forces is seen as inappropriate in the deterrence of potential adversaries in the 21st Century. The Nuclear Posture Review is seen as transforming the Cold War era offensive nuclear triad into a New Triad designed for the future.