Global Zero is NOT the Way Forward

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The Foundry:

 

Jordan Harms

February 20, 2013

 

Lieutenant General James Kowalski, chief of Global Strike Command, stated that there was “head room” for safe cuts to the American nuclear arsenal, according to a recent article by Politico. He contended, however, that reductions could not be made to the level supported by the Global Zero Report, from which Secretary of Defense nominee former-Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE), once an advocate of the report’s stance on nuclear zero, has not significantly distanced himself.

 

Senator Hagel tried to walk back his association with the report, asserting it was merely “illustrative” of his possible goals as Secretary of Defense, yet stated to Senator Jim Inhofe (R–OK) at his confirmation hearing that he still supports nuclear disarmament. However, reductions to 300–400 weapons, as was forwarded in the report, would represent “major structural changes,” according to General Kowalski.

 

Senator Hagel appeared to hedge his former position on disarmament by stating that he now no longer favors doing so unilaterally, but it would be difficult to adhere to that stance when the report also advocates for a reduced alert level, fewer weapons, and the elimination of the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

 

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[Valin]

Global Zero

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Global Zero is the international movement for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.

Since its launch in Paris in December 2008, Global Zero has grown to include 300 eminent world leaders and half a million citizens worldwide, developed a step-by-step plan to eliminate nuclear weapons, built an international student movement with more than 150 campus chapters in 20 countries, and produced the acclaimed documentary film, Countdown to Zero.

Global Zero members understand that the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat – including proliferation and nuclear terrorism – is to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, secure all nuclear materials and eliminate all nuclear weapons: global zero. The movement combines cutting-edge policy development and direct dialogue with governments with public outreach, including media, online and grassroots initiatives to make the elimination of nuclear weapons an urgent global imperative.

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