Text Only
Search

 
US Military Revises Nuclear Attack Plans

11 September 2005

The U.S. military has drafted a document that calls for nuclear strikes against nations or terrorist groups to prevent them from using weapons of mass destruction against the United States or its allies.

The document ("Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations") was drafted in March.  It updates a 1995 version from the Clinton administration to reflect President Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive military strikes against nations or groups posing a threat to the United States.

The document outlines a number of scenarios for the use of nuclear weapons, which would require the approval of the president.

The revised draft has yet to become official policy.

The document envisions the use of earth-penetrating nuclear weapons to destroy deeply buried weapons.  The Bush administration has been looking to develop the so-called "bunker-busters," but U.S. Congress stopped funding the program last year.

Some information for this story provided by AP and AFP.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
US Pacific Commander Seeks More Military Contacts With China
United States Marks Four Years Since September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Bush Draws Parallels Between Hurricane, September 11 Attacks
Iraqi, US Troops Launch Major Offensive in Tal Afar
 
  Top Story
Obama Pays Tribute to Fort Hood Shooting Victims

  More Stories
Bomb Rocks Northwestern Pakistan
Obama to Address Human Rights on Debut Trip to Asia
US Urges North Korea Not to Escalate Tensions in Yellow Sea
British PM Defends Military Mission in Afghanistan  Audio Clip Available
Tropical Storm Ida Downgraded; Moves Inland
Cross-Examination Begins in War Crimes Trial of Former Liberian President  Audio Clip Available
US Development of H1N1 Vaccine Hits Snag  Video clip available
Asia to Welcome President Obama  Video clip available
Obama Makes First China Tour as Economic Interdependence Grows  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
APEC Marks 20 Years, Looks to Future of Regional Trade  Audio Clip Available
Clinton Urges 'Compassion' for Americans Detained in Iran  Audio Clip Available
World War II Museum Expansion Aims at Younger Generations  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
North Carolina World War II Veterans Honored in Washington  Video clip available