How To Get Out Of Debt And Cut Defense…Without Hurting Security? Build More Nukes!

Adam Lowther, a research professor at the Air Force Research Institute, thinks he knows how we can get the federal budget under control and dramatically cut defense spending–without compromising our security. His solution? Look to the past, namely President Eisenhower’s New Look Policy which moved America away from relying on conventional military power and instead focused on nuclear weapons as the source of our security. In Lowther’s words, “the nuclear weapons complex is a bargain” compared to conventional forces. Of course, Lowther is exactly right. He points out that nuclear weapons account for fewer than 1 in 10 defense dollars we spend. When it comes to bang for the buck, its hard to do better than nukes. Lowther recognizes that this will also mean dramatically less involvement in regional wars, or conflicts is places such as Iraq.

I want to be like Ike…

“Absent a plentiful supply of superior conventional arms, the United States should once again return to the very approach that proved successful at the most basic of constitutionally prescribed acts–guaranteeing national sovereignty. In this effort to guard against existential threats, nuclear weapons should have a continuing role. The New Look may serve as the foundation for that policy.”

But this strategy strikes me as totally unrealistic. I mean, really, which US President is going to initiate the use of nuclear weapons to protect us from a conventional threat? Are we going to nuke a terrorist sponsoring state? Ike’s strategy fell down for the same reason. It was just not credible by the end of his term in office, if not before.

Lowther should be commended, however, for thinking outside the box. We are going to need creative ideas to get through this fiscal nightmare. You can read his full article here.