ACA Logo  Preparing for the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review  Janne
E. Nolan  America's nuclear future has recently received
political attention in the presidential race and among a small
but vocal minority in the Congress. Though differences abound on
the best way to proceed with strategic reductions, the role that
missile defenses should play, and the requirements for
maintaining the nuclear arsenal, one interesting point emerges:
both campaigns and both sides of the aisle agree that the United
States must undertake a review of its nuclear posture and must
do it soon.  When asked whether he would be willing to reduce
U.S. strategic forces, Republican presidential nominee Governor
George W. Bush said, "As president, I will ask the secretary of
defense to conduct an assessment of our nuclear force posture
and determine how best to meet our security needs." Democratic
nominee Vice President Al Gore has agreed, saying, "For the
United States to go to lower levels requires a thorough re-
examination of the official nu