Toward a New New Triad""

Abstract

Abstract : The 2009 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) is underway, providing the new administration with an opportunity to thoroughly examine the nuclear deterrence role in national security. A healthy understanding of the historical role of nuclear deterrence coupled with the examination of the last two NPRs reveals the necessity to revise the Department of Defense`s Triad. This Triad, introduced formally in the 2001 NPR, shifts the deterrence emphasis away from nuclear weapons to a combined approach to global deterrence based on global strike, defense and infrastructure capabilities. While this is a valuable approach for addressing the disparate and myriad threats to national security, it directs attention away from the nuclear mission and its unique role in national security. There have been two nuclear posture reviews accomplished since the end of the Cold War. Each of these NPRs failed to adequately resolve what the role of nuclear deterrence should be within the overall national security strategy. Rather than specifically addressing the unique role of nuclear deterrence they each in their own way shifted away from specific nuclear deterrence toward more generalized global deterrence. The next nuclear posture review has the opportunity to refocus the nation`s attention on the unique role of nuclear deterrence, particularly in light of the recent nuclear mishaps within the Department of Defense. An historical analysis of nuclear deterrence strategy and the recent nuclear posture reviews will aid in helping to address some of the root causes of the nuclear enterprise problems. Ultimately, the New Triad presented in the latest NPR must be adjusted to properly reflect the fundamental role nuclear weapons will play in the new national security concept of global deterrence.