President Obama’s decision two years ago to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. military and defense policies is being challenged by Russia’s large-scale buildup of nuclear forces, along with Moscow’s revised nuclear doctrine and recent threats to use the weapons.
The U.S. guidance was outlined in a 2013 White House order called Presidential Policy Directive-24, which calls for reducing the role of U.S. nuclear weapons in national security strategy and maintaining deterrence with smaller nuclear forces.
A Pentagon report to Congress states that the administration is seeking "the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." At the same time, the U.S. views the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear arms as a deterrent that must be maintained "as long as nuclear weapons exist."
Read the full article at the Washington Times.