CSBA_20100423_核态势评估的逻辑与局限性.pdf

S T R A T E G Y F O R T H E L O N G H A U LPerspectiveThinking Smarter About DefenseAPRIL 2010THE LOGIC AND LIMITATIONS OF THE NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEWEvan Braden MontgomeryOn April 6,the Department of Defense released its Nuclear Posture Review(NPR),which sets forth the Obama Administration s guidance on American nuclear policy,force structure,and doctrine.The report has been highly anticipated,due in large part to President Obama s public commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapons-free world.Four NPR decisions stand out.First,the NPR makes preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism key objectives of US nuclear policy,in addition to the traditional aim of deterring major attacks against the United States,its allies,and its interests overseas.Second,the NPR reaffirms the administration s commitment to decreasing the size of the US nuclear arsenal.According to the document,the reductions in nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles outlined in the New START Treaty signed with Russia are only a first step toward deeper cuts in the future.Third,the NPR alters long-standing declaratory policy by pledging that the United States will not retaliate with nuclear weapons against any