As defense spending comes under fire, don't make nuclear war more likely

Defense spending will come under pressure in an era of trillion-dollar COVID-19 deficits. As a result, the Defense Department will need to make trade-offs that it previously could avoid.
A North Korea Scud-B missile display at the Korea War Memorial Museum on August 26, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea

Defense spending will come under pressure in an era of trillion-dollar COVID-19 deficits. As a result, the Defense Department will need to make trade-offs that it previously could avoid.

In the past, Pentagon leaders have prioritized spending for nuclear weapons programs. That would mean taking any budget hit out of funding for conventional forces and readiness. 

But that carries a risk. It could well increase the prospect that the president would have to order the use of nuclear weapons.

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