Page 12 - The Indian EYE 010722

OpINION JANUARY 07, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

nuclear weaPonS:

The Biden administration and

the future of ‘no first use’

The Chinese media’s reaction tells a complex story about the unique position of the US in the world. It is one of the two
countries which have been possessing more than 90 per cent of the declared arsenals of the world, and a decision about
how to use nuclear weapons may have an extraordinary impact on global nuclear thinking and behavior

RAJIV NAYAN

ill the United States (US)
adopt the No First Use
W(NFU) policy? Those who
had followed the Presidential/elec-
tion campaign of Joe Biden and who
generally read the formal and rhetor-
ical statements of the leaders as truth,
seemed optimistic. However, a closer
scrutiny matched with the harsher
reality or dynamics of the world pol-
itics and security is required. Biden
made statements in favor of NFU
during his Presidential elections and
even before. He said during the cam-
paign that the US should be pushing
for NFU. In this context, he had put
special emphasis on no use of nucle-
ar-laden ICBMs (Intercontinental
Ballistic Missiles). Biden, in general,
expressed his views on it while dis-
cussing no exchange of nuclear weap-
ons in the world. He underscored
that a policy of NFU could be a step
in that direction. He repeatedly talk-
ed about nuclear reduction.
After assuming Presidency,
Biden seemingly wanted to translate US President Joe Biden (center) speaking at the Quad summit in Washington DC (ANI)
his old personal NFU principles into
the US policy, and possibly, as part knowledge, “Today, we reaffirm the of allies for it. Although no official ulous consultations with its NATO
of its nuclear doctrine. The ideas principle that a nuclear war cannot statement has come regarding the partners on nuclear and arms control
of nuclear arms control, nuclear be won and must never be fought.” exercise on NFU in the NPR, yet in- issues. The Administration noted:
security and nuclear disarmament The joint statement also underscored dications coming through the media “We have declared our nuclear deter-
kept featuring in several US offi- the significance of “ensuring predict- reports and think tanks tell the world rents to the defense of [North Atlan-
cial statements and joint statements ability in the strategic sphere”, and that allies are being consulted on the tic Treaty Organization] NATO and
issued with other countries. Even one of the tools envisaged was dimin- possible adoption of the NFU policy. as long as there are nuclear weapons,
though nuclear arms control as an ishing “the threat of nuclear war”. Why is the Biden Administration NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.
instrument of nuclear and strategic Media reports and writings pub- consulting its allies for its national Our NATO Allies and partners will
stability was underlined on many lished by Western think tanks inform policy or NPR? It is doing so because always be able to count on us, even
occasions when Russia–US bilateral that in the run-up to the new Nu- of its commitment to preserve a unit- as they continue to strengthen their
relationship was discussed, yet NFU clear Posture Review (NPR), Biden ed nuclear alliance and for maintain- own national forces.”
has hardly become a key component has tried to do an exercise on NFU ing its credibility at least in the near The quiet exercise seemingly
of strategic or nuclear stability in the as well. Through NPR, it seems, he future. Biden’s entire campaign was has not only resulted in some ner-
US–Russia partnership. wants to change the American ap- centered on restoring the American vous response from the allies who
Admittedly, the 16 June 2021 proach to the use of nuclear weap- leadership in the multilateral set- share liberal or security values with
US–Russia Presidential Joint State- ons. The US government has official- tings, including in security matters. the US but has also triggered debate
ment on Strategic Stability did ac- ly stated on NPR and consultation The US is supposed to have metic- Continued at next page... >>

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