American voters across the political spectrum are increasingly aware and, according to recent polling, deeply concerned about nuclear weapons dangers. However, so far in the unorthodox 2024 presidential race, there has been virtually no indication from Vice President Kamala Harris or former president Donald Trump on whether they have a plan—or even “the concept of a plan”—for dealing with the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons.
Yet there are at least three critical sets of issues the next president will have to make decisions about within weeks—or even days—of Inauguration Day.
Use of nuclear weapons
Perhaps the most consequential responsibility for a US president, who has the sole authority to order the use of nuclear weapons, is to avoid events that could lead to a nuclear war. As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on, there is a heightened risk of escalation that could involve US or NATO forces, or Russian nuclear threats, or even nuclear weapons use. In addition, there is a growing risk of a conflict with nuclear-armed China over its claims to Taiwan. And as Kim Jong-un builds up his nuclear retaliatory force, there are plausible scenarios involving nuclear war with North Korea.
Read the full OpEd, published on Sept. 19, 2024, at The Bulletin for Atomic Scientists.