[20030915]RS21619_核武器与美国国家安全：需要新的武器计划？.pdf

1The potential use of nuclear weapons to deter or defeat the use of WMD during a conflict isnot thesamethingasthepreemptiveuseofmilitaryforce,i.e.theinitiationofaconflict,againstanationarmedwithWMD. WhiletheUnitedStatesdoesnot ruleout thepossibleuseofnuclearweapons at any point in a conflict, the recent war in Iraq demonstrates that the preemptive useof force can, and almost certainly will, consist of attacks with conventional weapons.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21619September 15, 2003Nuclear Weapons and U.S. National Security:A Need for New Weapons Programs?na me redactedSpecialist in National DefenseForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryIn the2001 NuclearPostureReview, the Bush Administration outlined a new roleforU.S.nuclearweaponsthatgoesbeyondtheconceptofdeterrencefromtheColdWar.Italsoidentifiedanewtargetingstrategythatwouldseektothreatenspecificcapabilitiesin adversary nations.Furthermore, the Administration has pledged to restore andenhance the U.S. nuclear weapons infrastructure, as part of the U.S. effort to deter theemergence of new threats in the future. In implementing