{ "id": "RL32572", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "RL", "number": "RL32572", "active": true, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "retrieved": "2022-03-28T04:03:18.129083", "id": "RL32572_45_2022-03-07", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2022-03-07_RL32572_67be0ff4658ab4bcdc7908071d9b2cb21b518fe8.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32572/45", "sha1": "67be0ff4658ab4bcdc7908071d9b2cb21b518fe8" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2022-03-07_RL32572_67be0ff4658ab4bcdc7908071d9b2cb21b518fe8.html" } ], "date": "2022-03-07", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "RL", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL32572", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "retrieved": "2022-03-28T04:03:18.128418", "id": "RL32572_44_2021-07-15", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2021-07-15_RL32572_4c8bef234b1c75bed9263cc5224f752ab5f05db7.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32572/44", "sha1": "4c8bef234b1c75bed9263cc5224f752ab5f05db7" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2021-07-15_RL32572_4c8bef234b1c75bed9263cc5224f752ab5f05db7.html" } ], "date": "2021-07-15", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "RL", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL32572", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "retrieved": "2022-03-28T04:03:18.126069", "id": "RL32572_41_2021-03-16", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2021-03-16_RL32572_487ee202d22c90e6955d9c1cdc62ec7b168f172f.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL32572/41", "sha1": "487ee202d22c90e6955d9c1cdc62ec7b168f172f" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2021-03-16_RL32572_487ee202d22c90e6955d9c1cdc62ec7b168f172f.html" } ], "date": "2021-03-16", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "RL", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=RL32572", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 624274, "date": "2020-05-04", "retrieved": "2020-05-19T13:55:22.000619", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "Recent debates about U.S. nuclear weapons have questioned what role weapons with shorter ranges and lower yields can play in addressing emerging threats in Europe and Asia. These weapons, often referred to as nonstrategic nuclear weapons, have not been limited by past U.S.-Russian arms control agreements. Some analysts argue such limits would be of value, particularly in addressing Russia\u2019s greater numbers of these types of weapons. Others have argued that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons, in both Europe and Asia, to address new risks of war conducted under a nuclear shadow. The Trump Administration addressed these questions in the Nuclear Posture Review released in February 2018, and determined that the United States should acquire two new types of nuclear weapons: a new low-yield warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and a new sea-launched cruise missile. \nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower-yield warheads that might attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 500 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed some U.S. weapons deployed in Europe, while the Obama Administration retired older sea-launched cruise missiles. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. In the past, these have included questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group. These issues still include questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons in response to challenges from Russia, China, and North Korea. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 116th Congress may review some of these proposals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "aea7588f0761911ea135b0ab57c1ac9689d00c87", "filename": "files/20200504_RL32572_aea7588f0761911ea135b0ab57c1ac9689d00c87.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "6faaed209405de801b3b319648102901cfe23c92", "filename": "files/20200504_RL32572_6faaed209405de801b3b319648102901cfe23c92.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4873, "name": "Strategic Forces, CBRN, & Nonproliferation" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 604824, "date": "2019-09-06", "retrieved": "2019-09-16T22:10:55.597526", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "Recent debates about U.S. nuclear weapons have questioned what role weapons with shorter ranges and lower yields can play in addressing emerging threats in Europe and Asia. These weapons, often referred to as nonstrategic nuclear weapons, have not been limited by past U.S.-Russian arms control agreements, although some analysts argue such limits would be of value, particularly in addressing Russia\u2019s greater numbers of these types of weapons. Others have argued that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons, in both Europe and Asia, to address new risks of war conducted under a nuclear shadow. The Trump Administration addressed these questions in the Nuclear Posture Review released in February 2018, and determined that the United States should acquire two new types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons: a new low-yield warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and a new sea-launched cruise missile. \nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower-yield warheads that might be used to attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 500 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed some U.S. weapons deployed in Europe, while the Obama Administration retired older sea-launched cruise missiles. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These include questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group; questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons in response to challenges from Russia, China, and North Korea. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 116th Congress may review some of these proposals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "8cf78a8f518800a611ddd1e912d4416b0532b1d3", "filename": "files/20190906_RL32572_8cf78a8f518800a611ddd1e912d4416b0532b1d3.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "5ccb327be0607239ad6aec4d98590c4a05c30a1d", "filename": "files/20190906_RL32572_5ccb327be0607239ad6aec4d98590c4a05c30a1d.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4873, "name": "Strategic Forces, CBRN, & Nonproliferation" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 590076, "date": "2019-01-17", "retrieved": "2019-04-17T14:32:27.882007", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "Recent debates about U.S. nuclear weapons have questioned what role weapons with shorter ranges and lower yields can play in addressing emerging threats in Europe and Asia. These weapons, often referred to as nonstrategic nuclear weapons, have not been limited by past U.S.-Russian arms control agreements, although some analysts argue such limits would be of value, particularly in addressing Russia\u2019s greater numbers of these types of weapons. Others have argued that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons, in both Europe and Asia, to address new risks of war conducted under a nuclear shadow. The Trump Administration addressed these questions in the Nuclear Posture Review released in February 2018, and determined that the United States should acquire two new types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons: a new low-yield warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and a new sea-launched cruise missile. \nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower-yield warheads that might be used to attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 500 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed some U.S. weapons deployed in Europe, while the Obama Administration retired older sea-launched cruise missiles. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These include questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group; questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons in response to challenges from Russia, China, and North Korea. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 115th Congress may review some of these proposals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "de76bd8f50a78badb61cbd405e40b3757568dd32", "filename": "files/20190117_RL32572_de76bd8f50a78badb61cbd405e40b3757568dd32.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "f04706af65e96863632bc52626046e87157354f3", "filename": "files/20190117_RL32572_f04706af65e96863632bc52626046e87157354f3.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4873, "name": "Strategic Forces, CBRN, & Nonproliferation" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 578435, "date": "2018-02-13", "retrieved": "2018-02-15T14:11:30.130634", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "Recent debates about U.S. nuclear weapons have questioned what role weapons with shorter ranges and lower yields can play in addressing emerging threats in Europe and Asia. These weapons, often referred to as nonstrategic nuclear weapons, have not been limited by past U.S.-Russian arms control agreements, although some analysts argue such limits would be of value, particularly in addressing Russia\u2019s greater numbers of these types of weapons. Others have argued that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons, in both Europe and Asia, to address new risks of war conducted under a nuclear shadow. The Trump Administration addressed these questions in the Nuclear Posture Review released in February 2018, and determined that the United States should acquire two new types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons: a new low-yield warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and a new sea-launched cruise missile. \nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower-yield warheads that might be used to attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 500 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed some U.S. weapons deployed in Europe, while the Obama Administration retired older sea-launched cruise missiles. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These include questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group; questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons in response to challenges from Russia, China, and North Korea. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 115th Congress may review some of these proposals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "278c33bfd155f2252e82235033852c2b98e9dbc9", "filename": "files/20180213_RL32572_278c33bfd155f2252e82235033852c2b98e9dbc9.html", "images": {} }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "bce84d14c352ce061637358071d7dc446c74297e", "filename": "files/20180213_RL32572_bce84d14c352ce061637358071d7dc446c74297e.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4873, "name": "Strategic Forces, CBRN, & Nonproliferation" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 459124, "date": "2017-02-21", "retrieved": "2017-03-01T17:38:47.048984", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "Recent debates about U.S. nuclear weapons have questioned what role weapons with shorter ranges and lower yields can play in addressing emerging threats in Europe and Asia. These weapons, often referred to as nonstrategic nuclear weapons, have not been limited by past U.S.-Russian arms control agreements, although some analysts argue such limits would be of value, particularly in addressing Russia\u2019s greater numbers of these types of weapons. Others have argued that the United States should expand its deployments of these weapons, in both Europe and Asia, to address new risks of war conducted under a nuclear shadow. Both the Trump Administration and Congress may address these questions during a new review of the U.S. nuclear posture.\nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower yield warheads that might be used to attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 760 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed and removed some of the nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept. Some analysts argue that Russia has backed away from its commitments from 1991 and may develop and deploy new types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These include questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group; questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that NATO should consider expanding its deployments in response to Russia\u2019s aggression in Ukraine. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 114th Congress may review some of these proposals.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "b8a30c62ef1604d905dbe88fb477f80dcdf8c149", "filename": "files/20170221_RL32572_b8a30c62ef1604d905dbe88fb477f80dcdf8c149.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "24593e9cb7d5a0ff18c6947fe59a4d8e2fe4fe03", "filename": "files/20170221_RL32572_24593e9cb7d5a0ff18c6947fe59a4d8e2fe4fe03.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4873, "name": "Strategic Forces, CBRN, & Nonproliferation" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 451086, "date": "2016-03-23", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T16:55:13.178558", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "The FY2013 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310, Section 1037) indicated that it is the sense of Congress that \u201cthe United States should pursue negotiations with the Russian Federation aimed at the reduction of Russian deployed and nondeployed nonstrategic nuclear forces.\u201d The United States and Russia have not included limits on these weapons in past arms control agreements. Nevertheless, some analysts and Members of Congress have argued that disparities in the numbers of nonstrategic nuclear weapons may become more important as the United States and Russia reduce their numbers of deployed long-range, strategic nuclear weapons.\nDuring the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union both deployed nonstrategic nuclear weapons for use in the field during a conflict. While there are several ways to distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons, most analysts consider nonstrategic weapons to be shorter-range delivery systems with lower yield warheads that might be used to attack troops or facilities on the battlefield. They have included nuclear mines; artillery; short-, medium-, and long-range ballistic missiles; cruise missiles; and gravity bombs. In contrast with the longer-range \u201cstrategic\u201d nuclear weapons, these weapons had a lower profile in policy debates and arms control negotiations, possibly because they did not pose a direct threat to the continental United States. At the end of the 1980s, each nation still had thousands of these weapons deployed with their troops in the field, aboard naval vessels, and on aircraft.\nIn 1991, the United States and Soviet Union both withdrew from deployment most and eliminated from their arsenals many of their nonstrategic nuclear weapons. The United States now has approximately 760 nonstrategic nuclear weapons, with around 200 deployed with aircraft in Europe and the remaining stored in the United States. Estimates vary, but experts believe Russia still has between 1,000 and 6,000 warheads for nonstrategic nuclear weapons in its arsenal. The Bush Administration quietly redeployed and removed some of the nuclear weapons deployed in Europe. Russia, however seems to have increased its reliance on nuclear weapons in its national security concept. Some analysts argue that Russia has backed away from its commitments from 1991 and may develop and deploy new types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons.\nAnalysts have identified a number of issues with the continued deployment of U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. These include questions about the safety and security of Russia\u2019s weapons and the possibility that some might be lost, stolen, or sold to another nation or group; questions about the role of these weapons in U.S. and Russian security policy; questions about the role that these weapons play in NATO policy and whether there is a continuing need for the United States to deploy them at bases overseas; questions about the implications of the disparity in numbers between U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons; and questions about the relationship between nonstrategic nuclear weapons and U.S. nonproliferation policy.\nSome argue that these weapons do not create any problems and the United States should not alter its policy. Others argue that NATO should consider expanding its deployments in response to Russia\u2019s aggression in Ukraine. Some believe the United States should reduce its reliance on these weapons and encourage Russia to do the same. Many have suggested that the United States and Russia expand efforts to cooperate on ensuring the safe and secure storage and elimination of these weapons; others have suggested that they negotiate an arms control treaty that would limit these weapons and allow for increased transparency in monitoring their deployment and elimination. The 114th Congress may review some of these proposals. This report will be updated as needed.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32572", "sha1": "94c06221c8d37fc2b70a7d18d5c137d52b1474db", "filename": "files/20160323_RL32572_94c06221c8d37fc2b70a7d18d5c137d52b1474db.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32572", "sha1": "7fcdd71fd491b7312d3be58d80ff706b9c22503b", "filename": "files/20160323_RL32572_7fcdd71fd491b7312d3be58d80ff706b9c22503b.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 283, "name": "Russia and the Caucasus" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 3245, "name": "Nuclear Weapons: Capabilities and Nuclear Arms Control" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4531, "name": "Defense Authorization" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc807358/", "id": "RL32572_2015Feb23", "date": "2015-02-23", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20150223_RL32572_251507dc5d22533da2b509ab4ce6f8a734205947.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20150223_RL32572_251507dc5d22533da2b509ab4ce6f8a734205947.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc272089/", "id": "RL32572_2014Jan03", "date": "2014-01-03", "retrieved": "2014-02-03T19:46:03", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of how these weapons have appeared in public debates in the past few decades, then summarizes the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have taken to reduce and contain their forces. The report reviews the issues that have been raised with regard to U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons, and summarizes a number of policy options that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations to address these issues.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140103_RL32572_33730e7c6e88ad3721b47f7912d63d3259db0512.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140103_RL32572_33730e7c6e88ad3721b47f7912d63d3259db0512.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc463167/", "id": "RL32572_2012Dec19", "date": "2012-12-19", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of how these weapons have appeared in public debates in the past few decades, then summarizes the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have taken to reduce and contain their forces. The report reviews the issues that have been raised with regard to U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons, and summarizes a number of policy options that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations to address these issues.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20121219_RL32572_10544bfe0bd6af27121dea13309f6dee19d7ac80.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20121219_RL32572_10544bfe0bd6af27121dea13309f6dee19d7ac80.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc87286/", "id": "RL32572_2012Feb14", "date": "2012-02-14", "retrieved": "2012-07-03T07:51:21", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "During the Senate debate on the new U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in 2010, many Senators raised questions about Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons and noted their absence from the treaty limits. The United States and Russia have not included limits on these weapons in past arms control agreements. Nevertheless, Congress may press the Administration to seek solutions to the potential risks presented by these weapons in the future. This report looks at issues for Congress to consider regarding US weapons policy in light of the START agreement.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20120214_RL32572_87c17d58a0bcfedeab27dc5dd4c79a9e480a1a56.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20120214_RL32572_87c17d58a0bcfedeab27dc5dd4c79a9e480a1a56.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons - Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons - Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons - U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons - U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations - Russia - U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations - Russia - U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations - U.S. - Russia", "name": "Foreign relations - U.S. - Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103174/", "id": "RL32572_2011Feb02", "date": "2011-02-02", "retrieved": "2012-09-19T20:16:14", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons, including history, security issues, and policy options.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20110202_RL32572_7617208a3f8371b60ba9662512393b9cd939cd9c.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20110202_RL32572_7617208a3f8371b60ba9662512393b9cd939cd9c.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc505587/", "id": "RL32572_2010Jan14", "date": "2010-01-14", "retrieved": "2015-05-29T05:37:21", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have taken to reduce, eliminate, and, more recently, augment their forces.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20100114_RL32572_87bfb0a5d110c64815b89e12b4c0ae0ae00eb0e0.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20100114_RL32572_87bfb0a5d110c64815b89e12b4c0ae0ae00eb0e0.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc689116/", "id": "RL32572_2009Aug10", "date": "2009-08-10", "retrieved": "2015-08-03T15:06:47", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background. It concludes with a review of policy options, or \"solutions\" for the preceding problems, that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090810_RL32572_3a20828aab8309aaccd9c83745ffd2f47b3cea86.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090810_RL32572_3a20828aab8309aaccd9c83745ffd2f47b3cea86.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc743523/", "id": "RL32572_2009Jan28", "date": "2009-01-28", "retrieved": "2015-10-20T21:35:54", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It includes a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons; provides some historical background about nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; reviews the issues that have been raised regarding the continued deployment of these weapons; and concludes with a review of policy options that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090128_RL32572_b4867b169100e36b0ff7468c4550e266a32257a8.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090128_RL32572_b4867b169100e36b0ff7468c4550e266a32257a8.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462917/", "id": "RL32572_2008Jul29", "date": "2008-07-29", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": "This report provides basic information about U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It begins with a brief discussion of the differences between strategic and nonstrategic nuclear weapons. It then provides some historical background, describing the numbers and types of nonstrategic nuclear weapons deployed by both nations during the Cold War and in the past decade; the policies that guided the deployment and prospective use of these weapons; and the measures that the two sides have taken to reduce, eliminate, and, more recently, augment their forces. The report reviews the issues that have been raised with regards to U.S. and Russian nonstrategic nuclear weapons, essentially identifying the \"problems\" many associate with the continued deployment of these weapons. It concludes with a review of policy options, or \"solutions\" for the preceding problems, that might be explored by Congress, the United States, Russia, and other nations.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20080729_RL32572_7549e32c4762b262b455212cb1e9f9386384d56a.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20080729_RL32572_7549e32c4762b262b455212cb1e9f9386384d56a.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- Russia" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S.", "name": "Nuclear weapons -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Russia -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Russia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc817907/", "id": "RL32572_2008Jan16", "date": "2008-01-16", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20080116_RL32572_644916a9bea50a486c69f0b9dd33674400c5cd35.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20080116_RL32572_644916a9bea50a486c69f0b9dd33674400c5cd35.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10176/", "id": "RL32572 2007-01-09", "date": "2007-01-09", "retrieved": "2007-06-20T14:39:41", "title": "Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20070109_RL32572_f69ded52f52e52671b4af0920062403e4984516d.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20070109_RL32572_f69ded52f52e52671b4af0920062403e4984516d.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Nuclear weapons - 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