NPR

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, and DOCA members, yesterday the Administration rolled out its long awaited Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). Like many other comprehensive reviews, there is much good and much not-so-good in this one. I was troubled last night as I saw both critics and supporters of the review comment in "sound-bite" segments. I believe it is important to read the actual documents and to make up your own mind.

We have posted both the NPR report and the NPR briefing on our website. You can find them at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2010/2010_Nuclear_Posture_Review_Report.pdf and http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2010/NPR_2010_Briefing_20100406.pdf. Note the report is long … and even the "Executive Summary" is 10 pages. The NPR Briefing is a bit more digestible.

As you review these documents – I'd like to point a couple of areas …

First on the briefing – take a look at slide #4. I don't know if these Framework items are listed in priority order, but assume they are. My question to you is: "Do you think the items listed are in proper priority, based on your knowledge of the challenges the US faces?"

Secondly, also on the briefing – slide #6, note that in some circumstances, the US will respond to the use of chemical and biological weapons with only conventional weapons. This decoupling of nuclear weapons from an overarching response to WMD is controversial. Do you think this is the proper strategy?

Finally, it is notable that the NPR did not discuss force levels … and it is clear the present nuclear force levels will have to change. The AFA Chairman of the Board has written an op-ed to point out the advantages of the ICBM leg of the triad. You can find it on our website at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2010/edop_4-6-10.asp

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association