Security experts have issued a stark warning about the outdated state of the U.S. nuclear strategy, emphasizing the urgent need for modernization to counter the escalating threats from China, North Korea, and Iran.

A Heritage Foundation report underscores the necessity for the U.S. to expand and diversify its nuclear arsenal to maintain global stability and avert nuclear disadvantage, Fox News reported.

Calls for Modernization Amid Growing Threats

Security officials have raised concerns that the U.S.'s post-Cold War nuclear strategy is no longer adequate. The increasing nuclear capabilities of China, North Korea, and Iran have rendered the existing strategy outdated. Robert Peters, a former special adviser within the Obama administration's Office of the Secretary of Defense, has highlighted the expansion of nuclear arsenals by China and Russia as a significant threat.

Peters stressed the urgency of revitalizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, warning that China and Russia could achieve nuclear parity or even an advantage over the U.S. by the 2030s. His concerns are echoed in the Heritage Foundation report titled "Building the Nuclear Arsenal of the 21st Century."

Heritage Foundation Report Emphasizes Immediate Action

The Heritage Foundation report emphasizes the dangers posed by failed nuclear agreements and tense geopolitical realities. Peters, now a research fellow at Heritage, advocates for abandoning global nuclear disarmament in favor of expanding and diversifying the U.S. strategic arsenal. The report's recommendations include increasing the ballistic missile submarine force, adding warheads to ground-based deterrents, and utilizing non-strategic nuclear warheads from ready reserve stockpiles.

Peters pointed out that the U.S. has over 1,300 retired warheads, compared to Russia's 1,200 retired warheads, as noted by the Arms Control Association. He emphasized that these immediate measures are necessary until the U.S. can produce plutonium pits and nuclear warheads at a scale of 80 per year by 2030 and 200 per year by 2035.

Strategic Positioning and Treaty Concerns

The report suggests that the U.S. consider stationing additional nuclear weapons in Europe and potentially introducing them to the Western Pacific. The concerns over nuclear security have been amplified by Moscow's withdrawal from the 2010 New START treaty in 2023. This treaty had limited deployed warheads on delivery systems to no more than 1,550.

The U.S. and Russia currently hold 90% of the world's nuclear stockpiles, with the U.S. possessing 5,044 warheads and Russia 5,580. China is believed to have around 500 warheads, and North Korea has around 50. Other nuclear-armed countries include France, the U.K., India, Pakistan, and Israel, contributing to a global total of over 12,100 warheads.

New Strategic Factors Influencing Nuclear Policy

The Cold War strategy of deterrence through mutually assured destruction remains a foundational element of nuclear policy. However, new strategic factors now influence the U.S. nuclear force posture. The Heritage Report argues for a fresh approach to strengthen U.S. deterrence and eliminate potential escalation pathways.

Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. leaders have pursued nuclear disarmament as a means to prevent catastrophic nuclear events. However, the report suggests that the current international hostility makes nuclear disarmament non-viable for the time being.

Economic Considerations of Nuclear Deterrence

The report acknowledges the cost of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent but argues that it is more affordable than countering a nuclear war. Nuclear weapons currently account for 5-6% of the Department of Defense budget, with the proposed changes potentially adding another 1-2%.

The Heritage Foundation report emphasizes that the cost of deterring great power war, particularly nuclear war, is far less expensive than the cost of fighting one. To prevent war and ultimately prevent a strategic attack, the report advocates for the U.S. to build and field a credible nuclear arsenal.

Conclusion

In summary, security experts are urging the U.S. to modernize its nuclear strategy in response to the growing nuclear capabilities of China, North Korea, and Iran.

Robert Peters, a former Obama administration adviser, highlights the need for immediate action to revitalize the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

The Heritage Foundation report underscores the necessity of expanding and diversifying the U.S. nuclear arsenal to maintain global stability and avert nuclear disadvantage.

Recommendations include increasing ballistic missile submarine forces, adding warheads to ground-based deterrents, and utilizing non-strategic nuclear warheads from reserve stockpiles.

The report stresses that these measures are crucial until the U.S. can produce plutonium pits and nuclear warheads at a sufficient rate.

Despite the costs, the report argues that maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent is essential for preventing war and ensuring global security.