Allies Push Back Against US Waffling on New START

Allies Push Back Against US Waffling on New START
Allies Push Back Against US Waffling on New START

“New START was flawed from the beginning,” National Security Adviser John Bolton said Tuesday. “It is due to expire in February 2021 and while no decision has been made, it is unlikely to be extended. We need to focus on something better. And we will.”

US Missile Warning Sats Fair Game If No New START?

US Missile Warning Sats Fair Game If No New START?
US Missile Warning Sats Fair Game If No New START?

US may face destabilizing Russian interference with NTMs “while demand for strategic intelligence on Russian strategic nuclear forces from space-based NTMs goes up significantly,” says Michael Gleason.

New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization

New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization
New START’s Death May Up Costs of Triad Modernization

In any post-New START nuclear buildup, Russia will “at least initially” have an edge over the US, says retired Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, former head of Air Force Global Strike Command.

Are Russia & China Violating Nuke Test Ban Treaty?

Are Russia & China Violating Nuke Test Ban Treaty?
Are Russia & China Violating Nuke Test Ban Treaty?

Officials from the National Security Council, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the State Department all hinted Moscow and Beijing are violating the treaty — only to retreat into vague statements when pressed.

Poblete’s Resignation Weakens State’s Security Bench

Poblete’s Resignation Weakens State’s Security Bench
Poblete’s Resignation Weakens State’s Security Bench

The resignation of Trump’s assistant secretary for arms control and verification weakens the State Department’s already shaky bench in arms control talks.

Navy Rushes To Check Contractors After Submarine ‘Debacle’

Navy Rushes To Check Contractors After Submarine ‘Debacle’
Navy Rushes To Check Contractors After Submarine ‘Debacle’

The 12-hull, $128 billion Columbia class program is the Navy’s cornerstone project not only for a new class of submarines, but also for the United States’ nuclear triad, which relies on a mix of air, land, and sea-launched nuclear missiles.

A Real Nuclear Triumph for Trump: Extend New START

A Real Nuclear Triumph for Trump: Extend New START
A Real Nuclear Triumph for Trump: Extend New START

As President Trump prepares to meet Vladimir Putin in a high-stakes one-on-one meeting, there is growing and legitimate concern in Washington and European capitals about concessions Trump might make in the hopes of getting along with the Russian strongman. The anxiety is warranted, given President Trump’s public statements on NATO and the invasion of Ukraine,…

Why America Needs A Nuclear Air Launched Cruise Missile

Why America Needs A Nuclear Air Launched Cruise Missile
Why America Needs A Nuclear Air Launched Cruise Missile

UPDATED: We Run Op-Ed; Pentagon Announces LRSO Contract The Pentagon just awarded the third major contract in the modernization of the nuclear triad. First came the B-21 bomber. Then the Columbia-class submarine, to replace the Ohio class boomers. Two days ago they awarded Boeing and Northrop Grumman contracts to begin work on the new version…

How Trump Should Handle Russian Nuclear Talks

How Trump Should Handle Russian Nuclear Talks
How Trump Should Handle Russian Nuclear Talks

If the Trump administration wants to negotiate an arms control treaty with Russia, it must meet several preconditions. The Times of London reports that then President-elect Donald Trump signaled he would consider a nuclear arms reduction treaty with the Russians. He was quoted as saying, “For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and…

Why Bombers Are Key to Nuke Modernization; Think Russia, North Korea, China

Why Bombers Are Key to Nuke Modernization; Think Russia, North Korea, China
Why Bombers Are Key to Nuke Modernization; Think Russia, North Korea, China

  Opponents of nuclear modernization worry that the presidential elections this year could end their hopes of killing a number of nuclear modernization programs—such as the Long Range Stand-Off cruise missile (LRSO) and the B-61 Mod 12 life extension program. Unfortunately for nuclear minimalists and abolitionists, President Obama has been true to his word and continued to support nuclear…

Feel The Bern! What A Sanders’ Military Might Look Like

Feel The Bern! What A Sanders’ Military Might Look Like
Feel The Bern! What A Sanders’ Military Might Look Like

Here’s a thought experiment. What if Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders becomes president? What would a Sanders defense program look like? Yes, yes, a near win in Iowa does not a presidential nominee make. Even though he’ll probably win in his neighboring state of New Hampshire, there is a long slog to the convention. Then there is…

LRS Bomber Shows Failings Of Obama’s Nuclear Strategy

LRS Bomber Shows Failings Of Obama’s Nuclear Strategy
LRS Bomber Shows Failings Of Obama’s Nuclear Strategy

Lost in much of the initial coverage of the $80 billion Long Range Strike Bomber about specs and jobs is that the contract award is the latest step forward in an unnecessary and unsustainable projected spending binge to rebuild the U.S. nuclear arsenal in its current image. According to a January 2015 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report, the direct costs of the…

We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage

We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage
We Must Revive Our Moribund Nuclear Force: Heritage

Barack Obama is not likely to be mistaken for Teddy Roosevelt. Yes, his foreign policy has been quite soft-spoken—especially when addressing openly hostile states such as Iran. But he has whittled America’s “big stick” down to kindling. While “resetting” with Russia and “engaging” with Iran, Mr. Obama has presided over a tremendous down-sizing of U.S.…

House GOP To White House: No More Nuke Cuts

WASHINGTON: A number of House Republicans are lining up against the Obama administration’s effort to extend reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon and Mike Turner sent a letter to the White House today, opposing a new National Security Council study exploring plans to reducing the arsenal “up to…