Our current nuclear weapons policy gives the president the sole authority to order the use of nuclear weapons without consulting anyone else.
This policy is dangerous and outdated and incompatible with a democratic system founded on the idea of checks and balances.
Related resources
Report
Slowing the Hypersonic Arms Race
Hypersonic weapons are named after a specific velocity regime—five times the speed of sound or greater. But this nomenclature is misleading, as these flight speeds are nothing new.
Feature
UCS and the Coronavirus
The Union of Concerned Scientists is actively monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and vaccine rollout.
Video
No First Use Policy
In supporting a NFU policy, the Biden administration can take bold action to reduce the nuclear dangers we all face.
Podcast
Do Hypersonic Weapons Live Up to the Hype?
Global security expert Dr. Cameron Tracy discusses misconceptions about hypersonic weapons and how they could lead us into another arms race.