№ 5 (12), 2025. Dialogue on Nuclear Issues: Road to Failed Partnership

The chapter explores the consistency of the U.S. policy in the field of nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy under different administrations. The authors believe there exists an ‘operational code’ in U.S. nuclear decision making, embodied by career bureaucrats in the agencies in charge of U.S. nuclear policy. De facto, notwithstanding political appointments of the high-level leadership, senior-level officials with significant expertise retain their offices and continue to influence policymaking. U.S. nuclear policy is tightly intertwined with the idea of U.S. global dominance and aspiration for complete invulnerability, lying at the core of Washington’s strategy for national security. The operational code implies using the tactics of engaging Moscow in the strategic dialogue on nuclear arms control supported by a ‘success’ on the track of peaceful use of nuclear energy and nonproliferation.