The author advocates for a large-scale reduction of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Nichols calls for the adoption of a “minimum deterrence” policy—a nuclear policy that would only have sufficient weapons to retaliate against a nuclear strike, leaving as little as 300 strategic weapons. The article argues that the Cold War showed that leaders were afraid of any nuclear weapons being employed in any situation, meaning that the massive stockpiles were “overkill” for deterrence. Since nuclear weapons have little use in a conventional conflict, at least, the author argues, in a moral sense, the U.S. should phase out the triad system with massive nuclear stockpiles. Nichols instead calls for more reliance on bombers and submarines to deliver nuclear weapons, since they offer more flexibility than missiles that cannot be recalled after being fired. The article claims that this idea is not far-fetched and could be easily implemented; it only needs political will.

Read the full text at the Diplomat.

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