No first use of nuclear weapons

The history of US no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons is traced from the late 1940s. US no-first-use policy still broadly allows for the use of nuclear weapons if it or its allies are attacked. It is argued that the US no-first-use policy is irrelevant in the post-Cold War period & its persistent hedging encourages the use of nuclear weapons by terrorists & rogue states. The desire to threaten first use in certain circumstances (belligerent reprisal) should be foresworn. The US should adopt an unambiguous no-first-use policy to provide leadership, present a united front on nonproliferation, & strengthen the powerful taboo against nuclear use. M. Pflum