Amid rising geopolitical competition with Russia, China, and North Korea, the Trump administration is engaged in a sweeping review of U.S. nuclear policy. Officials have signaled that they are reconsidering some of the fundamental constraints that have limited nuclear competition, including whether to authorize a major expansion of the nuclear arsenal and whether to acknowledge the U.S. commitment to pursue nuclear disarmament under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The effort comes as advocates in Washington are pushing new types of nuclear weapons as a way of winning what many see as a new arms race. Meanwhile, the costs of updating and operating the nuclear arsenal are on the rise and are now projected to reach $1.2 trillion over the next 30 years.
Are new types of nuclear weapons necessary to meet today’s threats? Is the cost of nuclear modernization sustainable? How will these efforts affect the unsettled Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty regime?
Please join the Center for American Progress as Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and a panel of experts preview the options and consequences of the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review and recommend a sustainable way forward.
Welcoming remarks:
Vikram Singh, vice president, national security and international policy, Center for American Progress
Keynote remarks:
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA)
Distinguished panelists:
Laicie Heeley, fellow, Stimson’s Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program
Simon Limage, former deputy assistant secretary for nonproliferation programs, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State
Brian McKeon, former acting under secretary of defense for policy, U.S. Department of Defense
Moderator:
Adam Mount, senior fellow, Center for American Progress