Bush Administration's Nuclear Posture Review

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Although Secretary of State Powell insists there's no plan to use nuclear weapons, a secret Pentagon study, leaked this weekend, has created an international uproar. The Nuclear Posture Review reports that such weapons may no longer be America's last resort. The study, which includes contingency plans for the use of nuclear weapons against Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, Libya, Syria and Russia, suggests that such weapons might also be used in some Arab-Israeli crisis or to respond to chemical or biological attacks. Is 20 years of policy about to be reversed or is this a prudent review of options in an increasingly dangerous world? We ask independent and governmental defense experts, and the former ambassador of Iran, one of the countries targeted in the review. Newsmaker: Bush Stresses Importance of War on Terror "September 11 was not the beginning of global terror, but it was the beginning of the world's concerted response," proclaimed President Bush, speaking from the south lawn of the White House before 1000 people, on this 6-month anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington. Rick Dunham, White House correspondent for Business Week, has more on the President's determination to maintain the war on terrorism. Reporter's Notebook: Court Extends Zimbabwe Election by a Day After long lines of would-be voters were unable to cast ballots this weekend, Zimbabwe's high court ordered that voting be extended until today. President Robert Mugabe's government said it would appeal that decision. Will the voice of the voters be heard? Derrick, who was one of the first people to arrive at the polls in the capital city of Harare, recounts what it was like to cast a vote in this weekend's presidential election.
Although Secretary of State Powell insists there's no plan to use nuclear weapons, a secret Pentagon study, leaked this weekend, has created an international uproar. The Nuclear Posture Review reports that such weapons may no longer be America's last resort. The study, which includes contingency plans for the use of nuclear weapons against Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, Libya, Syria and Russia, suggests that such weapons might also be used in some Arab-Israeli crisis or to respond to chemical or biological attacks. Is 20 years of policy about to be reversed or is this a prudent review of options in an increasingly dangerous world? We ask independent and governmental defense experts, and the former ambassador of Iran, one of the countries targeted in the review.
  • Newsmaker: Bush Stresses Importance of War on Terror
    "September 11 was not the beginning of global terror, but it was the beginning of the world's concerted response," proclaimed President Bush, speaking from the south lawn of the White House before 1000 people, on this 6-month anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington. Rick Dunham, White House correspondent for Business Week, has more on the President's determination to maintain the war on terrorism.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Court Extends Zimbabwe Election by a Day
    After long lines of would-be voters were unable to cast ballots this weekend, Zimbabwe's high court ordered that voting be extended until today. President Robert Mugabe's government said it would appeal that decision. Will the voice of the voters be heard? Derrick, who was one of the first people to arrive at the polls in the capital city of Harare, recounts what it was like to cast a vote in this weekend's presidential election.

Business Week

Arms Control Association

Center for Defense Information

Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments

Los Angeles Times

National Security Agency

United Nations

US Defense Department

Movement for Democratic Change

Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney