Towards a More Consistent Nuclear Posture Review
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Authors
Jonas, David S.
Seshadri, Niranjan
Issue Date
2025-04-01
Volume
58
Issue
2
Type
Journal Article
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Alternative Title
Abstract
Starting with the Clinton Administration in 1994, every U.S. administration has released a Nuclear Posture Review. This important document sheds light on the U.S. nuclear weapons policy and strategy, including the role nuclear weapons play in U.S. national security. The Nuclear Posture Review sets out the deterrence strategy, doctrine, force structure, and arms control policies based on the prevailing threat environment and potential future risks to national security. The Nuclear Posture Review has evolved from a Department of Defense-led effort with little transparency under the Clinton and Bush Administrations to a collaborative, interagency initiative with increasing levels of public disclosure under the Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations.
Congress has mandated two Nuclear Posture Reviews under the Bush and Obama Administrations. Given that the Nuclear Posture Review is an important document that lays out a presidential administration’s nuclear declaratory policy regarding the role of nuclear weapons and the circumstances under which the U.S. might use them, there is a requirement for greater consistency in how the Nuclear Posture Review is conducted. United States nuclear policy must transcend partisan interests. This paper advocates for a longer, consistent, pre-defined 10-to-15-year interval between Nuclear Posture Reviews, conducted as a comprehensive, unified, and nonpartisan review with greater Congressional involvement.
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Citation
Publisher
Creighton University School of Law