The Pentagon on Monday kicked off the President-directed nuclear posture review. Defense Secretary James Mattis directed Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Paul Selva to lead the review, which was outlined in National Security Presidential Memorandum 1 on Jan. 27. The review will “ensure the US nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, effective, reliable, and appropriately tailored to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies,” according to a Pentagon statement. The review will be presented to the President by the end of the year, according to the Defense Department. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein last week said the review will look at deterrence in the 21st century, including cyber and space capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, the Department of the Air Force’s top internal watchdog, has been nominated to lead Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the service’s bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles.