"These changes to France’s nuclear doctrine mark a revolution. But not a revolution that questions the transatlantic security. One that reinforces it." writes @m514ever.bsky.social
Today in 1963, JFK, in a speech at American University, laid out his “Strategy for Peace.” It’s the greatest speech on nuclear weapons ever given by an American president — with lessons very relevant for today. I offer thoughts in @bulletinatomic.bsky.social.
thebulletin.org/2026/06/beyo...
Six months after nearly stumbling into nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK didn't gloat. Instead, he urged Americans not to see conflict as "inevitable" and launched a unilateral pause on nuclear testing. It worked. Khrushchev listened, and the Limited Test Ban Treaty followed.
Bunn lays out clear steps Trump could take now that wouldn't harm US security: taking some missiles off alert, establishing strict deployment limits, or offering verification access. In a fractured world, the president shouldn't fear taking the first step. History shows it works.
We've seen this playbook succeed since—from George H.W. Bush's massive tactical nuclear pullbacks as the Soviet Union collapsed, to recent bans on destructive anti-satellite tests. Unilateral, informal steps can lower the temperature long before formal treaty negotiations even begin.
Today's risks are higher than they've been in decades: New START has expired, Russia is saber-rattling, China is building up, and North Korea refuses to talk. Yet, during his second term, Trump has brought little focus to reducing these compounding nuclear threats.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
OTD in 1963, JFK delivered his iconic American University speech—arguably the greatest address on nuclear weapons by a US president. Writing for @thebulletin.org, Matthew Bunn (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social) argues its lessons on unilateral restraint are urgently needed for President Trump today. 🧵👇
Read Matt Bunn's (@matthew-bunn.bsky.social) full analysis in @thebulletin.org:
#NuclearWeapons #ArmsControl #ForeignPolicy #JFK #InternationalSecurity #Trump #nukesky @harvardkennedy.bsky.social
