United States nuclear doctrine

United States nuclear doctrine
Name	United States nuclear doctrine
Type	National security policy
Location	Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia
Controlling authority	President of the United States
Branches	Department of Defense, Department of Energy

United States nuclear doctrine. The foundational principles and strategies governing the development, deployment, and potential use of nuclear weapons by the United States Armed Forces. It is a central pillar of national security policy, designed to deter adversaries, assure allies, and achieve strategic objectives if deterrence fails. Doctrine is formally articulated in documents like the Nuclear Posture Review and is executed under the absolute authority of the President of the United States, supported by the National Command Authority.

Historical development

The doctrine evolved from the Manhattan Project and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, initially relying on a strategy of massive retaliation under the Eisenhower administration. The Cold War and the advent of intercontinental ballistic missiles led to the adoption of mutual assured destruction during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the tenure of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Later refinements included the Schlesinger Doctrine emphasizing limited nuclear options and the Carter administration's Countervailing strategy. The Reagan administration pursued the Strategic Defense Initiative and concepts like prevailing in a protracted conflict, while the post-Cold War period saw reduced emphasis in the 1994 Nuclear Posture Review. The 2002 Nuclear Posture Review under George W. Bush expanded scenarios for use, and subsequent reviews under Barack Obama and Donald Trump oscillated between reduction and modernization emphases.

Key principles and concepts

Core tenets include deterrence, fundamentally aimed at preventing nuclear attack or major conventional aggression against the United States or its allies like NATO and Japan. The concept of Extended deterrence is crucial, guaranteeing the defense of partner nations. Doctrine maintains a declared policy of no-first-use only during certain administrations, while retaining ambiguity under others. It integrates nuclear forces with Strategic Command's broader capabilities, including cyber and space operations, within a framework of Strategic stability. The principle of negative security assurances pledges non-use against non-nuclear states compliant with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Command and control

Absolute release authority resides solely with the President of the United States, aided by the Nuclear Football and communication links through the National Military Command Center. The Gold Codes authenticate orders to units such as the United States Strategic Command and the nuclear triad forces. Rigorous procedures under the Two-man rule and Permissive Action Link systems prevent unauthorized use. The continuity of government is ensured through sites like Cheyenne Mountain Complex and Air Force One, with the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff acting as key advisors. The Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration manage the stockpile and production laboratories.

Delivery systems and arsenal

The strategic arsenal is deployed via the air, sea, and land-based nuclear triad. This includes Minuteman III missiles in silos, Trident II missiles on submarines from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit bombers. Modernization programs are developing the B-21 Raider, Columbia-class submarine, and Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. Non-strategic weapons include the B61 nuclear bomb, with variants deployed in Europe under NATO nuclear sharing. The total stockpile size is managed by the Department of Energy facilities like the Pantex Plant, with warheads designed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Arms control and non-proliferation policy

The United States has been a party to major treaties like the SALT I, INF Treaty, START I, and New START, often negotiated with the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation. It champions the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and supports agencies like the International Atomic Energy Agency. Other key agreements include the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (unratified) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which it does not support. Initiatives such as the Cooperative Threat Reduction program and the Proliferation Security Initiative aim to curb proliferation to states like North Korea and non-state actors.

Current debates and future directions

Contemporary discourse centers on the cost and necessity of modernizing the entire triad amidst competing budgetary priorities. There is ongoing debate over declaratory policy, including calls for adopting a no-first-use pledge from figures like former Secretary of Defense William Perry. The erosion of arms control, with the collapse of the INF Treaty and uncertainty over New START, raises concerns about a new arms race with China and the Russian Federation. Emerging technologies like hypersonic glide vehicles and advancements in missile defense challenge traditional stability. The role of nuclear weapons in deterring cyber or space attacks and the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons remain contentious future considerations.

Category:Military of the United States Category:Nuclear weapons policy of the United States Category:Military doctrines