If Biden reviews nuclear weapons plans, focus on new low-yield weapons

The author contends that the Biden administration's review of U.S. nuclear programs should focus on eliminating new capabilities—specifically the LRSO, low-yield warheads for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and sea-launched cruise missiles—rather than just extending the New START treaty. The text argues that these new weapons increase the risk of decapitation strikes, undermine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and promote a dangerous 'usable' nuclear mindset. The author suggests that targeting these specific programs is more strategically sound and politically feasible for a president than attempting to cut land-based strategic deterrent programs, which face stronger congressional opposition.

• The author identifies three specific nuclear capabilities as 'new' or 'resurrected' that should be targeted for elimination: the long-range standoff (LRSO) nuclear air-launched cruise missile, a low-yield-capable nuclear warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and nuclear sea-launched cruise missiles.
• The LRSO is specifically highlighted as a risk to strategic stability because its combination of stealth and extended range could allow the U.S. to launch strikes deep into adversary territory without warning, potentially decapitating their nuclear response capabilities.
• The development of new nuclear weapons is argued to contradict the obligations of nuclear weapons states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) regarding the reduction and elimination of such arms.
• The author warns that describing low-yield nuclear weapons as 'more usable' is a dangerous mindset that could actually undermine U.S. deterrence and downplays the severity of nuclear conflict.
• Focusing on new and low-yield weapons is presented as more strategically viable for the President than cutting land-based strategic deterrent programs, as the latter would face more significant challenges from Congress.

APA

The Council on Strategic Risks (2021). If Biden reviews nuclear weapons plans, focus on new low-yield weapons. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2021/01/05/if-biden-reviews-nuclear-weapons-plans-focus-on-new-low-yield-weapons/

Chicago

The Council on Strategic Risks. If Biden reviews nuclear weapons plans, focus on new low-yield weapons. 2021. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2021/01/05/if-biden-reviews-nuclear-weapons-plans-focus-on-new-low-yield-weapons/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=The Council on Strategic Risks |title=If Biden reviews nuclear weapons plans, focus on new low-yield weapons |date=5 January 2021 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2021/01/05/if-biden-reviews-nuclear-weapons-plans-focus-on-new-low-yield-weapons/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{thecouncilonstrategicrisks2021biden, author = {{The Council on Strategic Risks}}, title = {{If Biden reviews nuclear weapons plans, focus on new low-yield weapons}}, publisher = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2021}, month = jan, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2021/01/05/if-biden-reviews-nuclear-weapons-plans-focus-on-new-low-yield-weapons/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }