Nuclear security

Pentagon Wants To Deploy 'Low-Yield' Nuclear Weapons To Deter Russia From Similar Ones

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: There's a new push by the Pentagon to deploy a more usable nuclear warhead. Proponents say a submarine-launched, low-yield nuke is needed to make Russia think twice about using similar weapons. And this week, Congress will take up possibly funding this warhead. Critics say a more usable nuke is a very bad idea. NPR's David Welna has the story.

DAVID WELNA, BYLINE: Throughout most of the Cold War, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union deployed thousands of so called low-yield nuclear weapons. These bombs are considered tactical - big enough to destroy military targets but far smaller than so called strategic warheads which are subject to arms control treaties. Still, after the Cold War, the U.S. withdrew most of its low-yield nukes from Europe even though Russia has many still deployed. Last month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress the time had come for a new low-yield nuclear warhead.