US Politics & Nuclear Policy
How American domestic politics, defense policy, and leadership decisions shape global nuclear risk. Tracking the US military campaign against Iran, congressional war powers debate, and Operation Epic Fury.
Current Crisis: US-Iran Military Conflict
The United States launched a major military campaign against Iran on February 28, 2026. The operation has raised fundamental questions about executive war powers, nuclear escalation, and the limits of American military intervention:
- Feb 28 — Joint US-Israeli strikes kill Supreme Leader Khamenei; 1,000+ targets hit
- Mar 1 — 3 US soldiers killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes on bases in Kuwait
- Mar 2 — 50,000 US troops deployed; Trump pledges continued operations without defined end state
Latest Coverage
- US Deploys 50,000 Troops as Operation Epic Fury Escalates — Military buildup and congressional response
- Iran Confirms Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed — The unprecedented assassination
- Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes on US Bases — American casualties and Hormuz closure
- Nuclear Threat Assessment: What Happens Next — Escalation scenarios
Background
The United States maintains one of the world's two largest nuclear arsenals and plays a central role in global nuclear governance. Shifts in US political leadership, defense policy, and arms control engagement directly affect the Doomsday Clock assessment.
Nuclear Modernization
The US is undertaking a comprehensive modernization of its nuclear triad — including new ICBMs, submarines, and bombers. The current conflict with Iran raises questions about the role of conventional military force versus nuclear deterrence in addressing proliferation threats.
Arms Control Engagement
US participation in bilateral and multilateral arms control agreements — such as NEW START with Russia — is a key stabilizing factor. The decision to use military force against Iran rather than pursue diplomatic solutions signals a shift in the approach to nonproliferation.
Congressional War Powers
The US-Iran conflict has reignited the constitutional debate over war powers. No formal Authorization for Use of Military Force was sought before operations began, and multiple lawmakers from both parties have introduced War Powers Resolution challenges.
Why It Matters for the Clock
As a nuclear superpower, US policy decisions have outsized influence on global nuclear risk. The decision to launch a major military campaign against a nuclear-threshold state — without defined objectives or congressional authorization — represents a significant escalation in the use of force by a nuclear power.
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