Guest Editor's Introduction

In the present article, the author discusses the 2001 nuclear posture review of the Bush administration, a change from land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, sea-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear-armed bombers into the "new triad" with its "offensive strike" leg combining existing (and modernized) nuclear strike platforms with advanced, long-range conventional weapons. Offensive capabilities are shouldered by two additional legs: ballistic missile defense against the growing ballistic missile threat, and a responsive defense infrastructure capable of rapidly developing new nuclear and nonnuclear capabilities. Another element is the Canadian International Councils Halifax branch's study group on nuclear strategy and the workshop they organized on American nuclear strategy in May 2008. Furthermore, the article introduces several contributions. Adapted from the source document.