Curbing the US president’s nuclear authority: What you need to know about the huge risks

Image credit below

Introduction

TFF believes it is of utmost importance to abolish nuclear weapons. While some may maintain that the risk that nuclear weapons will be used is small, others will argue that the consequences – no matter the risk – would be catastrophic beyond imagination and morally unacceptable and that no political goal can legitimate their use.
Therefore, its an imperative to educate ourselves about these things – the media in generally having abdicated their responsibility to provide public education about this and other controversial themes.
No matter what knowledge and opinion each of us has, there is no doubt that the risk of nuclear weapons use has increased in 2017-2018 due to a series of developments and political statements that must be judged to be grossly irresponsible and could, whether intended or not, lead to catastrophic misinterpretations, fear and panic reactions.
If you use the Search engine, look for “nuclear” in the Category search and/or click the drop down Theme menu with “N” on top, you’ll find lots of materials about these issues.
Below we reprint a literature guide from the highly respected and trustworthy journal Bulletin of the Atom Scientists – also known for it so-called Doomsday Clock.
We consider this – and the other materials we provide here – essential, trustworthy reading for concerned citizens, students at high-schools and universities and – for sure – also for media and politicians.
– Jan Oberg

By Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Janice Sinclaire

Since the election of President Donald Trump, a great deal of anxiety and attention has been aimed at a US president’s authority to order the use of nuclear weapons.

But policy experts who study the nuclear chain of command have long expressed concerns, with many advocating for checks on that power.
Is sole authority over nuclear weapons necessary for nuclear stability?

Here’s what you need to know:

How a nuclear attack order is carried out now
Lisbeth Gronlund, David Wright

How to limit presidential authority to order the use of nuclear weapons
Lisbeth Gronlund, David Wright, Steve Fetter

A reminder from Hawaii
Lauren Borja, M.V. Ramana

What America can learn from Hawaii’s mistake
Karthika Sasikumar