Weinstein Comments on State of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal
Lt Gen Jack Weinstein, USAF (Ret), Professor of the Practice of International Security at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, was quoted in a Defense One article on the United State’s nuclear weapons arsenal and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will shape nuclear policy moving forward.
The article, titled “Biden’s Nuclear Spending Plans Just Got More Complicated,” outlines the costs associated with maintaining current U.S. nuclear weapons, necessary updates to the arsenal and supporting systems, and whether Russia’s escalating encroachment of Ukraine will motivate U.S. nuclear policy. Weinstein, who spent the majority of his military career in the Air Force’s nuclear community, said that nuclear arms reduction beyond existing projects is not likely, especially given Russian President Vladimir Putin’s own nuclear escalation.
An excerpt:
The question on the need to modernize the nuclear triad surrounds one basic question, what is normal Russian behavior? The Russian Federation of 1995 or 2022? The Russia of 1995 was an aberration. While nuclear isn’t the panacea to peace, a strong, modernized nuclear Triad is essential to U.S. national security.
The full article can be read on Defense One‘s website.
Jack Weinstein, Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret), served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 2018. Prior to arriving at the Pardee School of Global Studies, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon. In this position, he was responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff on all aspects of nuclear deterrence operations providing direction, guidance, integration, and advocacy regarding the nuclear deterrence mission of the U.S. Air Force and engaged with joint, interagency, and NATO to develop nuclear enterprise solutions. Read more about Weinstein on his faculty profile.