How the U.S. maintains absolute nuclear deterrence
From 1940 to 1996, the U.S. invested at least $10.1 trillion in today's dollars in nuclear weapons development, producing over 70,000 nuclear warheads, surpassing the combined total of all other nuclear-armed nations. However, since the Cold War ended, the American nuclear arsenal has been reduced by 85%, and younger generations now encounter fallout shelters only in dystopian video games. Although not as prominent as during the Cold War, the threat of nuclear attack has never entirely disappeared. Russia and China are both enhancing the capability and quantity of their ICBMs. Even North Korea has expanded its arsenal, which was estimated to be around 10 to 20 nuclear warheads in 2018. Additionally, India and Pakistan each possess over a hundred nuclear warheads. The United States stresses the importance of maintaining a nuclear force that effectively deters adversaries, reassures allies and partners, fulfills U.S. objectives if deterrence fails, and safeguards against uncertain threats. The United States Nuclear Triad is a cornerstone of its national defense strategy, representing the capability to deliver nuclear weapons from land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers. This tripartite system was developed during the Cold War to ensure a robust and survivable nuclear deterrent against any adversary, particularly the Soviet Union. The triad remains a critical element of U.S. defense policy today, reflecting its enduring importance in a complex global security environment. It had three components. Land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers.>
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