ABSTRACT
Military authorities have the responsibility for maintaining the military effectiveness of NATO's forces, while the political authorities, in conjunction with the heads of state of nuclear powers, have responsibility for the decision to use nuclear weapons in defense of NATO. The programs of the NATO Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) suffer from this concentration on employment to the neglect of deterrence. This chapter shows the relationship of nuclear policy-making within NATO policy-making system. The highest level of effective nuclear planning consultation in NATO is the ministerial level of the NPG, which is chaired by the Secretary General. The permanent representatives are the national ambassadors to NATO and meet on the average of once a month with more frequent meetings as the time for the ministerial meeting approaches. SHAPE and the Headquarters of the Allied Command Atlantic (ACLANT) are also represented at NPG meetings through observers.
