In Sharp Turn, Obama's New Nuclear Strategy Ends U.S. Warhead Development
A new response posture also dictates nukes will not be used against other non-nuclear states in the event of a biological or chemical attack After months of deliberation and 150 meetings, the Obama Administration finally released its new guidelines for nuclear weapons policy. In a sharp break from previous administrations, Obama's Nuclear Posture Review released today dictates the U.S. halt development of any new nuclear weapons and cease to consider nuclear retaliation against non-nuclear nations, even in response to a biological or chemical attack. However, the review did add exceptions for potential future biological weapons developed with genetic engineering, and for responding to rogue countries like North Korea or a future nuclear-armed Iran. This release comes months late, as Obama had to counter dissent both on the right and the left of his cabinet and in the Defense Department. Those divisions reflect the reactions of the political establishment at large, with...