The recent brandishing of nuclear threats by China, North Korea and Russia is a reminder that nuclear weapons continue to be a dangerous reality. This is despite the end of the Cold War, which seemed to make nuclear threats a historical curiosity. The United States needs to eliminate nuclear weapons that are no longer essential for its security and reduce the overall number of strategic weapons. The country also should refurbish its remaining weapons where possible and ensure that it can continue to operate its military forces without relying on the use of nuclear-armed bombers, missiles or submarines.
The broader goal of nuclear threat reduction (NTR) is to prevent a state adversary from obtaining the capability to threaten and use nuclear and radiological materials against the United States or its allies. This includes stopping vertical and horizontal proliferation — the advancement or modernization of a nation’s nuclear weapons capabilities, as well as preventing non-state actors from acquiring nuclear or radiological materials.
To achieve this goal, the Department of Defense, NNSA and other federal agencies are working together to improve the U.S. government’s capabilities to detect unauthorized attempts to acquire, store, transport or develop nuclear and radiological material. The goal is to deter or disrupt terrorists and violent extremist organizations from gaining access to nuclear and other WMDs. This work is overseen by the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The ability to reduce the risk of a nuclear attack begins with motivation, planning and intent. But a viable pathway to an attack requires acquisition of weapons-usable special nuclear materials, components or a nuclear device. Once this step is achieved, a terrorist can attack with devastating consequences.