Publication

The debate over the coming months within NATO over nuclear posture could get quite heated. Although there is some agreement on general principles, in particular the over-riding need to maintain strong unity, and a continued commitment to deterrence, there is disagreement on the means. There are a number of nuclear options facing NATO, but one way or another, the status quo now seems much less likely to stick. While Secretary of State Clinton clearly wants to see reductions happen in tandem with reduced threats to Russia, it may take some imaginative unilateral actions by NATO before talks with Russia produce desired results.