As part of this tradition, President Obama four years ago spoke in the Czech capital of Prague and outlined his “Prague Agenda” of a long-term U.S. goal to eliminate nuclear weapons from the earth but to maintain a credible and capable U.S. nuclear deterrent until that distant day.  

Following a speech at this week’s event by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, three administration officials -- Assistant Secretaries Thomas Countryman from the State Department and Madelyn Creedon from the Defense Department and Deputy National Nuclear Security Administrator Anne Harrington -- made a strong case to continue pursuing the Prague Agenda despite recent criticism. 

In the wake of President Obama’s recent call in Berlin for a one-third further reduction of strategic nuclear weapons, Creedon emphasized that any such cuts beyond New START limits would be negotiated with Russia and would be mutual.  Some have alleged that Obama wants to unilaterally reduce U.S. nuclear force levels, but Creedon refuted such claims.  She noted that under the new nuclear guidance, supported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the uniformed services, the United States will maintain a credible nuclear deterrent.  She cautioned that, as President Obama stated in Prague in 2009, reductions down to zero nuclear weapons may not happen in his lifetime.

Nowhere in Obama’s Berlin speech did he call for unilateral U.S. reductions, but that did not stop some from claiming he sought to do precisely that.  From that faulty premise, critics are trying to weave a fabric of nuclear falsehoods that fly in the face of a strong and resilient U.S. nuclear force posture that the Air Force and Navy continue to update.  For example, the Navy’s Trident missiles have unmatched performance:  143 straight successful flight tests of the most accurate and successful submarine-based missile in the world.  No other nation comes even remotely close to such capability – none.

The United States’ preeminent capability is one factor that empowers us to consider further mutual reductions in nuclear forces – and even help guide the international community with responsible and smart reductions.  This should be celebrated, rather than obfuscated by falsehoods. 

There is plenty of room to debate how quickly to modernize our nuclear arsenal, how much to spend, and whether and how to further reduce nuclear weapons levels with Russia.  So it is unfortunate that such healthy debates get sidetracked and crowded out by arguments based on the falsehoods of seeking unilateral American reductions, or the U.S. falling behind other countries in nuclear strength.  Other countries don’t buy these arguments.  Our allies don’t buy them.  We shouldn’t either. 

Let’s debate the real nuclear issues, work together to ensure our nuclear security and continue to follow the wisdom of Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, and Obama -- safely and sensibly seeking the ultimate vision of a world without nuclear weapons.

Bruce MacDonald is senior program officer in USIP’s nonproliferation and arms control program.