No Disarmament Euphoria
US Nuclear Policy Will Be Marked by Pragmatism in Obama’s Second Administration
SWP Comment 2013/C 08, 20.02.2013, 4 Pages Research AreasUS Nuclear Policy Will Be Marked by Pragmatism in Obama’s Second Administration
SWP Comment 2013/C 08, 20.02.2013, 4 Pages Research AreasIn the immediate aftermath of Barack Obama’s re-election, the German government expressed their hope for further nuclear disarmament initiatives from the US. However Germany should not harbour any great expectations, as the US’s political room for manoeuvre is limited. The US wants to push nuclear disarmament in order to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation, but President Obama has at the same time announced investments in maintaining the US nuclear weapons arsenal and upgrading launch systems. In addition, the development of conventional weapons systems, as an alternative to nuclear deterrence and reassurance, is to be continued. This complicates disarmament progress with Russia.