The Council has convened a new Independent Task Force on U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, chaired by former secretary of defense William J. Perry and former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft. The Task Force will take a fresh look at current U.S. nuclear doctrine and policy, determine the purpose of America's nuclear weapons, and make recommendations for the future of arms control and nonproliferation.

During its first meeting in January 2008, the group debated the purpose of U.S. nuclear weapons and discussed other core issues such as the size and composition of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and the effect of U.S. nuclear policy on preventing proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed senior fellow for science and technology at the Council, serves as the project director. The group aims to produce the report in the fall of 2008, in anticipation of the new incoming presidential administration.

The work of the Independent Task Force on Nuclear Weapons Policy is made possible by the generous support of the Ploughshares Fund and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, as well as general operating support provided by the Council.  The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the author.