The fact that the future president of the United States, Donald Trump, took the unprecedented decision NOT to ask Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Frank Klotz, and his deputy, Madelyn Creedon, to stay on until he finds their replacement is disturbing, to say the least.
I understand his dislike for protocol, after all he does describe himself as a political outsider. But to risk having some of the most important posts in defence potentially vacant for an unknown period of time is quite scary.
Representatives have denied claims that Donald trump fired the two advisors and instead say that this has not been discussed yet. What an issue to leave undiscussed! The President's inauguration is in just a few days and with defence being a priority, why would he not want to remove this uncertainty regarding who will be guarding the world's biggest nuclear arsenal?
I could go into my whole argument about how nuclear weapons are ineffective in deterring anything, key example; the U.S. and the U.K. possessing them has not stopped them from being attacked. In fact, the very country that the U.S. felt the weapons were useful for (as a deterrent) is now best friends with Donald Trump and his Secretary of State nominee; Rex Tillerson. Surely the Cold War standoff these weapons once represented has been dissolved.
How are nukes going to combat the increase in 'home-grown terrorists' (U.S. citizens committing acts of terror)? This type of threat can come from citizens who cannot be easily profiled, I'll never forget the mislaid shock of seeing blonde-haired, blue-eyed American dubbed 'jihadi jane' implicated in acts of terror and others like this since then.
But I won't go into all that again. Instead, I'll just revel in the fact that every cloud has its silver lining; Donald Trump tweeted recently that he would like to strengthen U.S. nuclear capabilities. With two incredibly important strategic posts potentially vacant, this plan to increase the number of nukes is currently at a halt. Perhaps we should hope the posts aren't filled so quickly after all, as without these two officials, funding proposals for an expansion of their nuclear arsenal will be slowed down.
Glad the security of the country is in safe hands!