The Consensus for American Security is committed to keeping our nation strong and safe. This commitment requires us to SECURE nuclear weapons and materials, PREVENT nuclear weapons from being used by terrorists or hostile nations, and REDUCE global nuclear weapons stockpiles.

The Consensus believes that American leaders must:

• Reduce the size of nuclear arsenals. The existence of thousands of nuclear weapons around the world poses a danger to American security.

• Prevent nuclear proliferation.  Nuclear weapons and materials are more accessible to rogue nations and terrorist groups than ever before.  The United States must lead the world in reducing the risks of nuclear proliferation to protect America and our allies.

• Align the U.S. nuclear deterrent with today’s threats.  The U.S. must plan its nuclear forces against the threats we face today, rather than focusing on threats from a bygone area.

• Stop the global development of new nuclear weapons: America’s highly skilled scientists can maintain the reliability of America’s deterrent without exploding nuclear weapons.  The United States and Russia have not needed to detonate a nuclear weapon to tests stockpiles for decades now.  We need to enforce a global standard against nuclear testing to detect and stop rogue regimes from acquiring nuclear weapons.

• Fund America’s nuclear infrastructure. We need enough resources to modernize the nuclear infrastructure so that we can ensure the safety and reliability of our deterrent.

• Develop new conventional systems appropriate to modern threats. Our armed forces should have the advanced, flexible, accurate weapons systems they need to keep America safe.

• Build non-partisan expertise and understanding. Our leaders need to understand the reality of today’s nuclear threats.  Without a common set of facts and an agreed strategy for nuclear safety, American leadership and effectiveness will be damaged.