Jan 16, 2018

Pentagon to develop more nuclear weapons

Axios

"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."

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Pentagon to develop more nuclear weapons

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