De-Alerting Our Nuclear Forces, an Issue of 'Risk'

摘要

Almost since their inception (some could argue even before that), there has been great discourse about the abolishment of nuclear weapons. From President Eisenhower's 'Atoms for Peace' address to the United Nations in 1953, where he pledged America's 'determination to help solve the fearful atomic dilemma,' to the inherent goal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which provides 'that states that do possess them agree to divest themselves of these weapons over time.' Furthermore, all U.S. Presidents since Truman have desired the elimination of nuclear weapons and are on public record saying as much. This does not change the reality that we have nuclear weapons today and will continue to for the foreseeable future. While the arguments about 'Nuclear Zero' and 'A World Free of Nuclear Weapons' continue, this nation must also focus on what we have today. Concentrating on the fact that we have nuclear weapons and their role in this nation's deterrence policy allows us to detach ourselves from outlying discussions. It permits us to avoid the numerous discussions about the necessity (or lack thereof) for nuclear weapons, how many we should have, and what type should they be. While there is no doubt these are worthy discussions, we should not lose focus on our current situation. One of the major themes that have come back to the forefront of our nuclear weapons, and affects the realities of today, is the issue of 'de-alerting.'.