The President’s Power To Launch Nuclear Weapons Highlights A Troubling Paradox In U.S. Strategy (From Forbes)

The U.S. president possesses sole authority to launch the nation’s nuclear weapons. That power is absolute; there is no test of competency, and no one beneath the president in the chain of command has the authority to countermand a launch order. Conversely, even in an extreme emergency, not one has the authority to countermand an order not to launch. The president’s unique power in such matters results from the requirements of strategic deterrence, which demand both an ability to retaliate quickly and a firm grip on control of the nuclear arsenal. Nonetheless, it is a paradoxical feature in a government where checks and balances are the norm. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.