Cuts Endanger Americas Nuclear Arsenal

In early May 2009, the Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, led by former Secretaries of Defense William Perry and James Schlesinger issued their report on nuclear strategy and counter-proliferation measures. While reports from government commissions are frequently forgotten, this is one report that cannot be ignored.

The commission endorsed the maintenance of our nuclear deterrent triad of bombers, land based ballistic missiles and submarines. This nuclear umbrella also protects our allies, allowing them to forgo the necessity of maintaining their own nuclear arsenals. Additionally, the Commission recommended renewed support for our long neglected nuclear infrastructure. Nuclear laboratories and the scientists employed there need to receive adequate funding. These measures will enhance our nuclear deterrence while simultaneously strengthening efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons

Effective deterrence relies on “damage limitation”: convincing those who wish us harm that resorting to a nuclear attack would not be successful and that their own arsenal and safety would be threatened. During the Cold War, our deterrent posture was designed to clearly signal to our adversaries that no matter how they war-gamed an attack, it would not succeed. The late Ambassador Paul Nitze, said he wanted the Soviets to conclude after any such analysis, “Not today, comrade”. To maintain this principle, the Commission argued against further cuts to our arsenal. Since 1980, the US has already reduced its deployed nuclear weapons from 12,000 to under 2,200, as required by the 2002 Moscow Treaty. Despite these reductions, the United States was able to maintain a robust deterrence; however, further cuts would weaken our nuclear umbrella.

The Commission also addressed the issue of nuclear proliferation amongst rogue states and terrorist groups. Here the answers are less clear. Any serious effort to dismantle the weapons programs in Iran and North Korea, will require an unprecedented level of international cooperation. Yet, thus far, the Russians and Chinese have done little to prevent the proliferation of nuclear and ballistic missile technology. The Taliban’s threat to Pakistan’s arsenal makes the issue even more relevant. Further cuts to the American arsenal will do little to dissuade rogue states from arming themselves. Previous reductions in our arsenals have had no impact on discouraging the nuclear programs run by Pyongyang and Tehran.

The Commission on the Strategic Posture of the US has done an extraordinary job bringing these critical issues to attention. We must implement their recommendations with speed.