180 B61 gravity nuclear bombs are possessed by the United States Of America that are stationed in Europe. They were placed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey to safeguard their allies during the Cold War against the threats of the Soviet Union. Even though, there is no longer any threat nor is there a need for the use of those weapons, President Obama has proposed to aside $ 537 million for next year budget to enhance these nuclear weapons. The atrocious sum comes into question when experts say that only 10 million is required for the upgrade. Even by adding an additional 4 million to add safety features such as guided tails to increase the predictability of the nuke weapons, it nowhere sums up to the budgeted amount.
It seems like a ridiculous decision since it contradicts Mr. Obama’s previous statement from his 2010 strategy review speech that took place in Prague. The President’s vision was to make America a nuke-free country. He had promised to diminish the use of nuclear weapons and make America not rely on it. He had also assured that no money would be invested to enhance war technology.
This current enhancement to B61, would drastically lift America’s nuclear capacity to a whole new level and sending the wrong message to the Russian authorities with whom the President is trying to sign a treaty for reducing nuclear technology and its research.
The reason for the nuclear bomb to exist in Europe is because of the mutual consent of the NATO alliance. Everyone has a say in whether the weapons are needed or not, all experts feel that there is no need for the B61 nuclear technology since none of the allied countries seems to be in any sort of threat. Similarly, there is absolutely no need for the warhead upgradation because the US regularly test for the proper functioning of these marks.
The numbers seem to have increased vastly when compared to the previous years. While the Congress has decreased the funding of Defense program such as food stamps and head start, the President request for 537$ million is a whooping 45.5% more than this year’s budget. In 2013, there is a 7.86$ billion is in place for the National Nuclear Security Administration which is a separate agency which checks on the nuclear warhead program. This particular sum by itself is 9% more than what was approved last year.
President Obama’s reckless decision of making this budget must be from 2010 where the Republicans demanded that he budgets more than 80$ billion for nuclear technology in order for them to give the green signal for signing the nuclear arms reduction treaty, New Starts, with Russia. It makes no sense as to why he would spend precious dollars in building arms when the money is much needed elsewhere.
Along with increasing the budget for nuclear warheads, the President has reduced the funds by 15% for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative program. It works on protecting the world against terrorism by getting hold of any nuclear material. The budget is currently being reviewed and rewritten, but the President’s choice for spending on nukes is extremely disappointing, confusing and limelights his priorities.
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