Baku:Two U.S. senators have introduced a bipartisan bill to reinforce Washington's "ironclad" extended nuclear deterrence commitments to South Korea and other treaty allies. This move comes amid increasing nuclear threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Reaffirming Extended Nuclear Deterrence Act was introduced by Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and cosponsored by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The legislation seeks to maintain a credible U.S. nuclear deterrent, supported by conventional military capabilities, joint exercises, and strategic consultations with allies.
The bill emphasizes that the United States should reaffirm its extended deterrence commitments to treaty allies and ensure that its military posture, exercises, strategic consultations, and defense investments are robust. It identifies South Korea, Japan, Australia, and NATO members as key allies whose security is vital to U.S. national security interests, in light of the growing nuclear threats.
Additionally, the legislation highlights the importance of continued consultations, planning, and military exercises with allies to bolster collective readiness. It notes that U.S. extended nuclear deterrence has been instrumental in discouraging allies from pursuing independent nuclear weapons.
The initiative follows previous calls by Senators Kelly and Tillis for the Trump administration to reverse its decision to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Kelly stated that deterrence only works if adversaries believe in its credibility, stressing the need for clarity amid expanding arsenals in China and Russia and North Korea's persistent provocations.