The activists who broke into a NATO tactical nuclear weapon storage facility last January have done it again. This time they managed to actually get inside multiple hangers which either contain or recently contained nuclear bombs. (For a complete breakdown of their footage check out Jeffrey Lewis' recent post at Arms Control Wonk.)
The point of the activists' video raid was clearly to increase pressure on the U.S. and its NATO allies to remove these weapons from Europe- certainly a sensible goal. It's important to remember, however, that simply pulling these bombs won't completely solve the problem. Russia maintains a far larger tactical nuclear arsenal, which I can't help but worry is even less secure than NATO's.
While I've generally been positive on the new START agreement and the Obama administration's broader nuclear policy, the decision to exclude tactical nuclear weapons from the negotiations was a critical mistake. The issue isn't ignorance--the administration and U.S. military leaders are very much aware of the threat posed by these weapons--but political inertia. Over the past decade, the U.S. has attempt to raise the issue with Russia multiple times, only to have the Russians remind us that tactical nuclear weapons also remain at part of NATO's strategic nuclear posture. Many in Europe have been hesitant to let the nuclear weapons go for fear that they will be shut out of U.S.'s nuclear policy.
In November, NATO will release a new Strategic Concept, which could include a shift in nuclear posture. Last month leaders from five NATO countries, including three of the countries that host tactical nukes, called on the alliance to end the nuclear sharing agreement and remove the weapons from Europe, but key European powers--most notably France--remain opposed.
The U.S. must support these calls for a tactical nuclear reduction and put pressure on the holdouts. If NATO adjusts its policy (and that's a big if) the Obama administration must get Russia back to the negotiating table to forge a new agreement that includes tactical nukes. While none of these tasks will be particularly easy, they are essential to American security.
- Evan
The point of the activists' video raid was clearly to increase pressure on the U.S. and its NATO allies to remove these weapons from Europe- certainly a sensible goal. It's important to remember, however, that simply pulling these bombs won't completely solve the problem. Russia maintains a far larger tactical nuclear arsenal, which I can't help but worry is even less secure than NATO's.
While I've generally been positive on the new START agreement and the Obama administration's broader nuclear policy, the decision to exclude tactical nuclear weapons from the negotiations was a critical mistake. The issue isn't ignorance--the administration and U.S. military leaders are very much aware of the threat posed by these weapons--but political inertia. Over the past decade, the U.S. has attempt to raise the issue with Russia multiple times, only to have the Russians remind us that tactical nuclear weapons also remain at part of NATO's strategic nuclear posture. Many in Europe have been hesitant to let the nuclear weapons go for fear that they will be shut out of U.S.'s nuclear policy.
In November, NATO will release a new Strategic Concept, which could include a shift in nuclear posture. Last month leaders from five NATO countries, including three of the countries that host tactical nukes, called on the alliance to end the nuclear sharing agreement and remove the weapons from Europe, but key European powers--most notably France--remain opposed.
The U.S. must support these calls for a tactical nuclear reduction and put pressure on the holdouts. If NATO adjusts its policy (and that's a big if) the Obama administration must get Russia back to the negotiating table to forge a new agreement that includes tactical nukes. While none of these tasks will be particularly easy, they are essential to American security.
- Evan
