Name: Minimum Deterrence: Examining the Evidence
Uploaded: 2013-10-16T08:00:00-04:00
Description: Recently, President Obama called for large reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal from the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty levels, which could lea

October 2013

Past Event

Minimum Deterrence: Examining the Evidence

Past Event

Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters

October 16, 2013

October 2013

Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Read Transcript

Speakers:

John Harvey

Former Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs

Ambassador Robert Joseph

Senior Scholar, National Institute for Public Policy

ADM Richard Miles, USN (ret)

Chairman, Strategic Advisory Group for the U.S. Strategic Command

Keith Payne

President, National Institute for Public Policy

Recently, President Obama called for large reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal from the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty levels, which could leave the U.S. with roughly 1,000 weapons. The President's announcement has renewed the debate over the appropriate size of the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal.

Advocates of a Minimum Deterrence strategy applaud the move and view it as progress towards a nuclear-free world; skeptics maintain that deeply reduced force levels would leave the United States and its allies vulnerable and that Minimum Deterrence relies on unrealistic hopes and unreliable assumptions.

The National Institute for Public Policy's report, Minimum Deterrence: Examining the Evidence, offers valuable insight into this debate and makes a compelling case that the Minimum Deterrence position builds on utopian hopes and is contrary to historic experience. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand U.S. nuclear forces policy and the proposals for reductions.

Our panel made a critical review of the report and discussed its implications for U.S. nuclear weapons policy.

November 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

From Dependence to Resilience: Financing a Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Featured Speakers:

Caroline Vik

Maryll Toufanian

Nick Snyder

November 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

From Dependence to Resilience: Financing a Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Join DFC Chief Policy Officer Caroline Vik and Amneal Pharmaceuticals Senior Vice President Maryll Toufanian for a conversation moderated by Senior Fellow Nick Snyder. The discussion will examine America’s strategy to secure pharmaceutical supply chains and the work ahead for policymakers and industry as they pursue sustainable solutions in a complex market and policy environment.

Featured Speakers:

Caroline Vik

Maryll Toufanian

Nick Snyder

Learn More

November 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

The Future of US-Japan Cooperation in a Competitive World: Economic Security and Strategy

Featured Speakers:

Nick Snyder

Hiroyuki Nakashima

November 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

The Future of US-Japan Cooperation in a Competitive World: Economic Security and Strategy

Join Japan Bank for International Cooperation Senior Managing Director Hiroyuki Nakashima and Senior Fellow Nick Snyder for a conversation on the state of the US-Japan relationship, the links between economic cooperation and national security, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for the alliance.

Featured Speakers:

Nick Snyder

Hiroyuki Nakashima

Learn More

November 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Putting Veterans First: A Conversation with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins

Featured Speakers:

Doug Collins

Jeremy Hunt

November 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Putting Veterans First: A Conversation with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins

Two days after Veterans Day, United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins will deliver a keynote address on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ work and his plans under President Donald Trump. He will also join Hudson Institute fellow Jeremy Hunt for a fireside chat.

Featured Speakers:

Doug Collins

Jeremy Hunt

Learn More

November 2026

Virtual Event | Hudson Institute

A US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat

Featured Speaker:

Bryan Clark

November 2026

Virtual Event | Hudson Institute

A US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat

Join Senior Fellow Bryan Clark for a presentation of his new report, Righting the Ship: Building a Relevant US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat. He will discuss the challenges facing the US Navy and how a new fleet design could help it address its missions within likely future budget and personnel constraints. The webinar will also include time for questions and answers.