Obama and Abe. (Photo : Getty Images)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will have none of U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed "No First Use" nuclear weapons policy in which the United States will use nuclear weapons only if nuclear weapons are used against it first.
Obama's controversial policy, which he apparently wants instituted before he steps down as president in January 2017, has drawn widespread criticism from members of his own Cabinet, from the U.S. military and from many members of the U.S. Congress.
Major U.S. allies worldwide have also expressed misgiving about this pacifist policy in light of today's more volatile international situation marked by wars and rising conflicts.
U.S. allies such as Japan, South Korea, France and Britain contend that if the United States pledges not to strike first with nuclear weapons, the risk of a conventional war against China, Russia, Iran and North Korea might increase.
Obama is said to be considering taking steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons with the goal of their eventual abolition. He made this promise at a landmark speech in Prague in 2009 where he declared nuclear disarmament as a priority for his administration.
Abe, however, argues Obama No First Use policy will degrade deterrence against countries such as North Korea and the risks of conflict will rise. He conveyed his concern to Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, who was in Japan for an official visit last July.
Obama's No First Use proposal under consideration at the White House will reverse decades of U.S. nuclear policy, if and when it's implemented.
The opposition from within Obama's Cabinet is led by Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.
The possibility of a "No First Use" declaration was also roundly opposed at the National Security Council meeting in July where the Obama administration reviewed nuclear disarmament initiatives it might implement before the end of the president's term.
Carter raised objections to the No First Use policy on the grounds it risked provoking insecurity about the U.S. deterrent among allies. In addition, North Korea's nuclear tests and Russian aggression in Europe and Syria makes any change to the U.S. nuclear posture unwarranted at this time.
While Obama didn't issue a decision on the "No First Use" proposal, there is reason to believe he'll stop pushing this agenda on account of the tremendous opposition it's generated.
