Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

National Security Strategy and Policies
This group examined the challenges and opportunities to the political, strategic and diplomatic variables that help shape the international environment and the nation’s nuclear weapons strategy and policy. The experts examined a variety of issues, such as the meaning of strategic posture, the value of deterrence, and the importance of declaratory policy, among other topics. 
 
Ashton B. Carter, chair, May-November 2008
James N. Miller, chair, November 2008-March 2009
 
Elbridge Colby
J.D. Crouch
James F. Dobbins
William Fallon
Michele A. Flournoy (Resigned January 2009)
Andrew Krepinevich
Richard Mies
Steven Rosen
William Schneider
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall (Resigned January 2009)
Philip D. Zelikow
 

Deterrent Force Posture
This group of experts reviewed the size and characteristics of the nation’s nuclear and other strategic forces, including missile defenses. In their recommendations to the Commission, experts strongly considered the United States’ extended deterrence obligations as well as the capabilities of our allies and adversaries alike.
 
Dennis C. Blair, chair, May-December 2008
Thomas Scheber, chair, December 2008-May 2009
 
Barry Blechman
Elaine Bunn
John Hillen
Ronald F. Lehman
Franklin C. Miller
Clark Murdock
Janne E. Nolan
 

Nuclear Infrastructure
Experts from this group assessed current physical infrastructure and human capital committed to the nation’s nuclear weapons complex. In formulating their conclusions, this team considered the future of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, the weapons laboratories, and the other NNSA/DOE production facilities.
 
Linton F. Brooks, chair
 
Robert Barker
Everett Beckner
Henry Chiles
Steve Guidice
John Gordon
Burgess Laird
Ernest Moniz
C. Paul Robinson
Harold Palmer Smith, Jr.
Troy E. Wade
Earl Whiteman
 

Countering Proliferation
With the goal of prevention of and protection from the threat of proliferation, this group considered nuclear nonproliferation policy and integration in light of other U.S. declared national security objectives. Given that efforts to counter proliferation are often predicated on international cooperation, this group examined the role and importance of international alliances and arms control, reassurance of allies, and treaties, including the NPT and the CTBT.
 
Arnold Kanter, chair, May 2008-October 2008
Daniel B. Poneman, chair, October 2008-March 2009
 
Kathleen C. Bailey
Joseph Cirincione
Lewis A. Dunn
Robert Einhorn
Siegfried Hecker
Rebecca Hersman
Susan Koch
Mitchell Reiss
Scott Sagan
Henry Sokolski
 

External Conditions and Trends
As required by the enabling legislation, this team of experts provided a comprehensive threat assessment to the Commission while outlining current geopolitical trends with regard to nuclear weapons and capabilities. Experts focused their analysis on nuclear weapons states, including Russia, China and Pakistan, as well as other potential nuclear states and proliferators.
 
Gordon C. Oehler, chair
 
Richard Kerr
John McLaughlin
Joseph Nye
Michelle Van Cleave