Reaction about the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review

President Trump’s Nuclear Posture Review, a strategy document that aligns with the previously released National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy was released. Below are reactions:



Colleen Hanabusa, (D-HI, 1st)

“We are extremely concerned with the President’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) because it represents a profound shift in policy that undermines our national security and puts our allies, especially the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in a very difficult position. Additionally, like so many of the proposals offered by this administration, they do not provide a plan to pay for it. Congress does not have the money to fund the current $1.2 trillion plan to upgrade our nuclear arsenal.”

“While I agree with the NPR’s assessment that Russia presents our greatest nuclear threat, I do not think initiating new weapon systems and expanding our arsenal is the type of deterrence we should employ. Moreover, increasing our stockpile of low-yield nuclear weapons, particularly on submarines, sends the message that we are preparing for regional conflicts and more likely to use these weapons in targeted circumstances. Finally, the interactions between the President and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and our opaque, confusing relationship with the current Russian leadership, do not suggest we should increase this administration’s ability to initiate a nuclear arms race and risk conflict.”

Senator James M. Inhofe (R - OK)

“As long as there are nuclear weapons, the United States must possess an arsenal that can effectively deter any threat. President Trump’s Nuclear Posture Review recognizes we haven’t been keeping up with the progress of our adversaries and competitors, especially China and Russia. While our aging arsenal is effective for now, without a serious commitment to modernization, we are at risk of losing our strategic advantage.

“This Nuclear Posture Review looks to modernize and diversify our arsenal to keep up with new threats in a changing world. I commend President Trump for making this a priority of his administration, as he outlined in his State of the Union address this week.”

Donnelly Statement on Reports of North Korea’s Miniaturized Nuclear Warhead

Washington, D.C. - August 9, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement following reports that North Korea has successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles. If accurate, this would be a significant step forward in the country’s effort to build a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States. Recently, Donnelly helped the Senate pass bipartisan legislation, which President Trump signed into law, that would increase sanctions on North Korea.

Donnelly said, “North Korea is pressing forward on the development of a nuclear missile that threatens our country as well as tens of thousands of deployed American servicemembers and our allies in the region. It is long past time for the United States to have a clear, comprehensive strategy to address this rapidly growing threat. This should be our top national security priority in the Pacific. While recent sanctions from Congress and the United Nations are a good start, we need to focus the full economic and diplomatic force of our nation on this problem – and get other countries in the region to do the same. In the meantime, I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate – both Republican and Democratic – to strengthen our missile defenses, maintain our nuclear arsenal as a deterrent to our adversaries, and give the Administration the tools it needs to be successful.”

As Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Donnelly has led efforts to increase funding for U.S. missile defense programs and supported provisions in this year’s national defense bill to significantly strengthen the U.S. homeland missile defense system against the threat of an intercontinental ballistic missile attack. As Ranking Member of the National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee, Donnelly co-led a hearing with subcommittee chairman Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) to assess U.S. and international sanctions against North Korea and China in relation to North Korea’s nuclear missile program.

Report: US assesses NKorea can fit nuke inside a missile

Carmi:Times>

North Korea may have successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles, passing a key threshold in becoming a full-fledged nuclear power, according to a Japanese defense paper and a U.S. media report.

The U.N. Security Council this weekend slapped its toughest sanctions yet on North Korea over its latest test of a ballistic missile that could be used to deliver a nuclear weapon. Despite the rapid tempo of these tests, uncertainty has lingered over the isolated nation’s ability to couple such a missile with a nuclear device.

Those uncertainties appear to be receding.

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