The Pentagon does not give Biden nuclear powers

Biden’s goal to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the US military orientation has been met with strong resistance from the Pentagon, especially when information is leaked about increasing the arsenals of China and Russia, IRNA reported Saturday, quoting Politico.

Among the options discussed during the one-year review is the adoption of a “no to primary user (of nuclear weapons)” policy and / or the declaration that the “sole purpose” of the arsenal is to stop nuclear war and that such weapons should not be held accountable. Be used in conventional warfare or other strategic attacks such as cyber warfare.

Both are indications of a deviation from the current position that has been ambiguous throughout the nuclear age as to whether or not the United States should strike first, as well as the message that nuclear weapons are effective in deterring nuclear and non-nuclear attacks.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Politico that Biden’s National Security Council expects a high-level meeting on nuclear policy this month.

But Pentagon members do not see the world the way the US president does, largely because of China’s nuclear expansion and Russia’s arms modernization.

Even though Biden will make the final decision on the US nuclear position, the Pentagon is trying to influence the president and will not give him much choice.

Biden is reluctant to be pressured by the Pentagon into any decision, as he has said on Afghanistan. The Department of Defense seems to have learned a lesson from that, not to give the president options that the Department does not like.