“Authorization for the Expenditure of Nuclear Weapons” (Draft)

Description

This draft document was apparently as a template for the Presidential authorization for the use of nuclear weapons, notably predelegation. It uses the language from NSC 5602/1 as its starting point:

It is the policy of the United States to integrate nuclear weapons with other weapons in the arsenal of the United States. Nuclear weapons will be used as authorized by the President in general war and in military operations short of general war. Such authorization as may be given in advance will be determined by the President.

It outlines circumstances under which the US armed forces are authorized to “expend nuclear weapons” in the event that “the operational commander to whom appropriate authority has been delegated is unable to obtain a decision by the President,” and “when in the judgment of the operational commander to whom appropriate authority has been delegated time and circumstances do not permit a decision by the President.”

The circumstances in which predelegation are available are very broad and essentially indicate that in the event of hostile attack nearly anywhere these conditions would apply. There are limitations applied, however, in that nuclear weapons “will not be expended for defense against minor attack nor against attack upon minor United States forces” (which is then qualified in some detail). Proportionality is required: “Any use of nuclear weapons pursuant to this authorization will be limited to such size and numbers of weapons and to such military targets as are necessary.” Upon the use of such weapons, the action must be immediately reported to the President.

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Document entry started by Alex Wellerstein on October 16, 2020. Entry last updated by Alex Wellerstein on October 16, 2020.