The Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) was released this morning.  The document is about 72 pages and can be viewed HERE.  Some of my readers are probably asking why the NPR is so important.  According to the Department of Defense (DoD):

The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) is a legislatively-mandated review that establishes U.S. nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities and force posture for the next five years to ten years.

So, it’s important because it is the blueprint for the next five-10 years in regards to our nuclear missions.  Since I have many years of experience working in this field from near and far, I try to keep up on the latest happenings and offer my humble opinion about what the leaders of our nation are trying to do.

So, here are some of the things that caught my eye in regards to ICBMs after reading the NPR:

– The United States will “deMIRV” all deployed ICBMs, so that each Minuteman III ICBM has only one nuclear warhead.

-The Department of Defense will continue the Minuteman III Life Extension Program with the aim of keeping the fleet in service to 2030, as mandated by Congress.  Although a decision on any follow-on ICBM is not needed for several years, studies to inform that decision are needed now.  Accordingly, the Department of Defense will begin initial study of alternatives in fiscal years (FY) 2011 and 2012.  This study will consider a range of possible deployment options, with the objective of defining a cost-effective approach that supports continued reductions in U.S. nuclear weapons while promoting stable deterrence.

– Although a decision on any follow-on ICBM is not needed for several years, studies to inform that decision are needed now.  Accordingly, the Department of Defense will begin initial study of alternatives in fiscal years (FY) 2011 and 2012.  This study will consider a range of possible deployment options, with the objective of defining a cost-effective approach that supports continued reductions in U.S. nuclear weapons while promoting stable deterrence.

-Explore new modes of ICBM basing that could enhance survivability and further reduce any incentives for prompt launch.  Such an assessment will be part of the Department of Defense’s study of possible replacements for the current ICBM force.

-The President has directed a review of post-New START arms control objectives, to consider future reductions in nuclear weapons.  Several factors will influence the magnitude and pace of future reductions in U.S. nuclear forces below New START levels.

Of course, it will be easy for some elected officials to say that the glass is half full when they read this report, but what the report leaves open is the cutting of land-based nuclear weapons (possibly sooner rather than later).  The word reduction is in the section about ICBMs numerous times.  So they are going to be reduced, we just don’t know when or by how many.

Although they plan on extending the life of the ICBMs until 2030, they don’t really say how many “lives” they will extend.

The good news seems to be is that the present administration wants to keep some ICBMs as part of the nuclear triad.  How many and where is the question that will have to be answered next.  There will be plenty of jockeying by the states that house ICBMs until that decision is made.  And for those folks who will be fighting to keep the ICBMs in their states, time is a wasting.

In closing, all in all I think many experts will say this latest NPR, if enacted, will leave the United States less safe, but that seems the norm from those on the left.  Besides, North Korea and Iran don’t seem to want to stop their pursuit of nuclear weapons, and many other countries are trying to get the bomb – so they too can become a major player on the world stage.  Our world is still a dangerous place.  Saying you will limit the use of nuclear weapons just gives our enemies hope.