NATO’s nuclear sharing program involves Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK.

On Tuesday, ther Financial Times reported that the United States is discussing whether to deploy nuclear weapons in more members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

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U.S. officials have signaled openness to additional deployments beyond six countries that currently host nuclear-capable bombers, the report said, citing three people briefed on the discussions.

NATO’s sharing program is an arrangement under which the United States deploys a limited number of nuclear weapons on the territory of certain non-nuclear NATO allies while retaining ultimate control over those weapons in peacetime.

The policy emerged during the early years of the Cold War as a way to strengthen deterrence against the Soviet Union, reassure European allies of the U.S. security commitment, and promote alliance cohesion.

Under the arrangement, selected allied air forces are trained and equipped to deliver U.S. nuclear bombs in the event of a major conflict, subject to political authorization and wartime procedures.

The sharing program involves Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom, which are approved to host U.S. dual-capable aircraft and “forward-deployed” nuclear bombs.

The FT report said that the move may allow more allies to host dual-capable aircraft, which can carry out nuclear strike missions, while countries on NATO’s eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, have expressed interest in hosting bases to house the aircraft.

Discussions were ongoing through NATO channels, but an agreement to expand U.S. nuclear hosting was not imminent. Two of the people said the discussions were intended to demonstrate Washington’s commitment to creating a nuclear umbrella, the report said.

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized European allies for not spending enough on their militaries and relying too much on Washington for conventional defense. 

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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