US officials express opposition to Obama’s “no first use” nuclear proposal
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.0210026
Wall Street Journal (via MarketWatch ): With just a few months left in office, President Obama may have to give up on the “no first use” proposal he is considering, whereby the US would use nuclear weapons only if it were attacked with nuclear weapons. Among those opposed to the plan are several key cabinet members, including Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. The officials say that US allies such as the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea rely on the US for their security. Were the US to adopt such a policy, those countries might feel the need to develop their own nuclear programs. In light of the opposition the plan has met, it appears unlikely that Obama will press the issue.
