US to shrink nuclear arsenal

Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON

The Obama administration is releasing a major statement on nuclear weapons policy that will herald a further shrinking in the U.S. arsenal, even while rejecting some sweeping steps advocated by arms-control advocates.

The statement to be released today will announce that the arsenal will shrink by thousands of warheads and will further restrict the ways in which the weapons can be used, say U.S. officials. But the administration has rejected proposals to declare that the “sole purpose” of nuclear arms is deterrence, nor will it promise that the United States won’t be the first to use nuclear weapons in a war, say people who have been close to the discussions.

The document, called the Nuclear Posture Review, is an important part of President Barack Obama’s signature program to reduce nuclear arms, which moves into a higher gear in the next few days.

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