Nuclear deterrence remains paramount with Biden's newly approved classified plan
Biden's approval of this five-year plan marks a strategic shift in U.S. nuclear policy
As the 2023 Nuclear Posture Review is underway, the classified plan is a reminder of the U.S.'s commitment to nuclear deterrence
Nuclear deterrence has been a cornerstone of the United States' national security strategy since the early days of the Cold War. President Biden's approval of a highly classified nuclear strategic plan in March 2023 is the latest indication of the U.S.'s commitment to maintaining a strong nuclear deterrent.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday, May 9, that Biden approved revisions to a highly classified nuclear strategy document back in March that "for the first time reorients Washington's deterrent strategy in the era of major power competition with China and Russia."
The new plan, which is a five-year review of the U.S. nuclear posture, calls for a number of changes to the U.S.'s nuclear arsenal, including:
- A reduction in the number of nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal from around 5,500 to around 4,500 warheads.
- A shift in the focus of the U.S. nuclear arsenal from low-yield nuclear weapons to higher-yield nuclear weapons.
- A new emphasis on the development of nuclear weapons that can be used against targets in space.
The new nuclear strategic plan is a significant departure from the previous plan, which was approved by President Obama in 2010. Obama's plan called for a reduction in the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and a shift in the focus of U.S. nuclear policy away from nuclear weapons.
Biden's decision to approve a new nuclear strategic plan is a sign that the U.S. is once again prioritizing nuclear deterrence. This is likely due to the increasing nuclear threats from Russia and China, as well as the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019.
The new nuclear strategic plan is a reminder that nuclear deterrence remains paramount to U.S. national security. The U.S. is committed to maintaining a strong nuclear arsenal in order to deter potential adversaries from using nuclear weapons against the U.S. or its allies.
What is nuclear deterrence?
Nuclear deterrence is a military strategy that uses the threat of nuclear retaliation to prevent an adversary from using nuclear weapons against oneself or one's allies. The goal of nuclear deterrence is to make the cost of using nuclear weapons so high that no rational adversary would ever consider doing so.
Nuclear deterrence has been a central component of U.S. national security strategy since the early days of the Cold War. The U.S. has maintained a policy of nuclear deterrence, known as "mutually assured destruction" (MAD), which states that any nuclear attack on the U.S. or its allies will be met with a devastating nuclear response.
The policy of MAD has been successful in deterring nuclear war for decades. However, the rise of new nuclear powers, such as China and Russia, has raised concerns about the continued effectiveness of MAD.
Is nuclear deterrence still relevant in the 21st century?
Some experts argue that nuclear deterrence is no longer relevant in the 21st century. They argue that the risk of nuclear war is now so low that it is no longer necessary to maintain a large nuclear arsenal.
Other experts disagree. They argue that nuclear deterrence remains essential to preventing nuclear war. They point to the fact that Russia and China are both modernizing their nuclear arsenals, and that the risk of nuclear war is increasing.
The debate over the relevance of nuclear deterrence is likely to continue for many years to come. However, there is no doubt that nuclear deterrence remains a key part of U.S. national security strategy.
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