Dinner w/General Cotton

General Cotton will discuss the monumental task of modernizing all three legs of the U.S. nuclear triad to deter peer adversaries, China and Russia, who are improving their own strategic capabilities and enhancing their coordination. In addition to modernizing the U.S. air, land, and sea nuclear capabilities, STRATCOM is working towards a modern and resilient nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise, improving our ability to address electromagnetic spectrum threats, and ensuring continued access to space.

China’s rapid nuclear build-up and more aggressive nuclear posture presents the United States with the need to deter two peer nuclear adversaries at the same time—a fundamental change in our security environment that has increased the risk of a nuclear conflict. Though the United States began modernizing its own nuclear arsenal prior to China’s expansion, we have faced serious challenges executing large projects to produce platforms, delivery systems, and nuclear material for warheads. Over time, these challenges could collectively undermine our deterrent in the minds of our adversaries and allies. This strategic picture influences the thinking and needs of BENS’ current and potential partners, particularly in the Departments of Defense and Energy, making it important for BENS members to understand the nuclear dimension of the current competition.