Pentagon to develop more nuclear weapons
Aerial view of the Pentagon building photographed. Photo: Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call via Getty Images
"The Pentagon is planning to develop two new sea-based nuclear weapons to respond to Russia and China’s growing military capabilities, according to a sweeping Defense Department review of nuclear strategy," The Wall Street's Journal's Michael Gordon reports:
"[T]he Pentagon argues that since adversaries [notably Russia and China] have failed to follow the U.S. in de-emphasizing the role of nuclear weapons, Washington needs a greater range of nuclear options to counter its potential foes, especially for carrying out limited strikes."
- "The planned move has ignited a broad debate over future U.S. nuclear strategy at a time when the nation also faces the threat of proliferation, in particular from North Korea."
What's next: The Pentagon’s Nuclear Posture Review "is expected to be formally unveiled later this month, [and] has yet to be approved by the president. ... But the plans to field the new nuclear systems have strong support in the Pentagon and are expected to go forward."