Comment: Two items are provided for more detailed coverage of this topic.
- The 491 Report to Congress 15 Nov 2024
- Nuclear Matters Handbook
https://media.defense.gov/2024/Nov/15/2003584623/-1/-1/1/REPORT-ON-THE-NUCLEAR-EMPLOYMENT-STRATEGY-OF-THE-UNITED-STATES.PDF
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Guiding Principles
The Guidance is consistent with U.S. declaratory policy as articulated in the 2022 NPR. As long as nuclear weapons exist, the fundamental role of U.S. nuclear weapons is to deter nuclear attack on the United States or its allies and partners. The roles of nuclear weapons in United States strategy are to deter strategic attack, assure allies and partners, and enable achievement of national objectives in extreme circumstances if deterrence fails.
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U.S. nuclear strategy can best be described as tailored deterrence with flexible capabilities. Deterrence is at its core an effort to influence an adversary's decision calculus. As such, U.S. strategy to deter a potential adversary is a function of the unique characteristics of that adversary - from its geopolitical goals to leaders' perceptions, to strategy, doctrine and capabilities.
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The Guidance also requires that all nuclear plans must be consistent with the Law of Armed Conflict, which regulates the conduct of war. It reaffirms that the United States will continue the practice of not targeting any country on a day-to-day basis and instead relies on open-ocean targeting. It also instructs DoD to continue to minimize the number of nuclear weapons needed to achieve objectives.
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Comment: The Nuclear Matters Handbook (Revised) though dated 2020 is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters unofficial guide to Nuclear Matters relevant to Nuclear Command Control and Communications (NC3).
https://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/NMHB2020rev/index.html
https://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/NMHB2020rev/docs/NMHB2020rev.pdf
Quote:
The content of this unofficial handbook is the sole responsibility of the the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. Please refer to the applicable statute, regulation, Department of Defense directives and instructions, or Department of Energy orders for definitive guidance in all areas related to U.S. nuclear weapons. This handbook is neither authoritative nor directive, although every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate and comprehensive.
The revised 2020 Nuclear Matters Handbook provides an overview of the U.S. nuclear deterrent and a basic understanding of nuclear matters and related topics. This overview is intended for anyone seeking an introduction to nuclear weapons and for those who need a more detailed understanding to perform their professional functions.
Each chapter in the handbook features a unique aspect of the nuclear deterrent and is designed to stand alone in providing information specific to the topics addressed. There are many interdependencies among the elements of the nuclear deterrent, the authorities under which it operates, and the many organizations that make up the DoD Nuclear Enterprise and the NNSA Nuclear Security Enterprise as well as other U.S. government agencies and international partners that contribute to the U.S. nuclear deterrent. This handbook makes those connections where feasible, but should be considered a reference document rather than a cohesive narrative.
