Author: Nadya A. Larsen, Department of Defense

The panel focused on the 2010 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review and how the U.S., Russia and China perceive it.
1. Clark Murdock:
2010 U.S. NPR:
– Commits to maintain strategic stability with Russia and China
– Commits the U.S. to maintain the triad during the 10-year duration of New START
– Announces that nuclear-equipped Tomahawk missiles will be retired
– Identifies the prevention of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism as the foremost objective of the U.S. nuclear agenda.

2. Lora Saalman ( Chinese approach on 2010 NPR):
– In 19 cases China was mentioned in NPR, it was in a pair with Russia.
– Positives: NPR is a policy document and not a posture. NPR has a great deal of compromise. NPR focuses more on nuclear terrorism, nuclear safety and security than before.
– Negatives: There are many documents within NPR that contradict each other. NPR is more a rhetorical and not effective document (extended deterrence, budget etc). They are also concerned with the “extreme circumstances” when U.S. will use nuclear weapons in relationship to Chinese interests.
– China and Russia: Chinese do not want to be seen as a little Russia. Chinese do not want to be engaged in the arms race or to be seen that they are even interested in doing so.
– China has an overall concern that it is being targeted by NPR on different fronts (such as missile defense, weaponization of space). In order to avoid misinterpretations of the NPR by the Chinese, the U.S. should sit down with China and go over every paragraph.

3. Walt Slocombe ( Russian approach on 2010 NPR ):
– Russia views nuclear weapons as a central status in its international affairs. Russia heavily relies on nuclear weapons when the existence of the state is threatened (as stated in Russia’s Military Doctrine). Nuclear weapons are the centerpiece for the U.S-Russian bilateral relations.
– Russia’s nuclear arsenal is aging and needs to be modernized.
– Missile Defense controversy: the temporary cancellation was welcomed but Russia does not appreciate and welcome U.S. plans in building radars in Czech Republic and Poland. Russia is concerned about the long-term Russia’s missile-defense plans.

* The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.
* The views expressed here are panel overviews of the Asan Plenum. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or the institutions they are affiliated with.