Dianne Feinstein: “In addition, the nuclear posture review said we need to develop new types of weapons so we can use them in a wider…”

“In addition, the nuclear posture review said we need to develop new types of weapons so we can use them in a wider variety of circumstances and against a wider range of targets, such as hard and deeply buried targets, or to defeat chemical and biological weapons. Even the New York Times suggests we would even consider a first strike against a nonnuclear country if that country possessed biological or chemical weapons. It seems clear that this administration is no longer focused solely on the role of nuclear weapons for deterrence. Rather, the new triad proposed by the administration has grouped nuclear and conventional weapons together on a continuum, believing each has an equal role on the battlefield. During the cold war, the nuclear triad consisted of air, land, and sea nuclear forces--bombers, ALBMs, ICBMs and SLBMs. The new triad consists of offensive strike forces, missile defense--which has yet, incidentally, been shown to work--and a responsive infrastructure to support the forces. Strategic nuclear forces are combined dangerously, in my view, with conventional strike capabilities in the offensive leg of the new triad. This new triad represents a radical departure from the idea that our strategic nuclear forces are primarily intended for deterrence, not for offense as the new triad proposes.”