Academics offer a policy package to implement President Trump’s goal of 50% military cuts. The four point package offers a secure and verifiable strategy of threat reduction that can reduce taxes and free resources.

A global missile ban led by the three most capable nuclear nations could be backed by the revolution in digital and satellite capabilities allowing verification without trust that can be extended to nuclear weapons factories and to the major weapons we see used every day. Political leaders can use methods to check on weapons first approved by the CIA and KGB and now increasingly available publicly. A draft UN agreement to seal the deal could enable the 50% cuts of President Trump’s goal. “Global weapons control is not rocket science, but would use current technology and diplomatic practice”, said Prof. Dan Plesch of SOAS University of London. 

Zero Missiles is no dream but a realistic object that remove missile threats to the US and the world, that have existed since Nazi Germany’s V2 rockets and Hitler’s dream of the “New York Rocket”. 

As shown in recent OSINT studies, current satellites’ capabilities facilitate inspection; this serves as the glue to implement the approach that Trump is proposing. Simultaneously, OSINT advances make verification more transparent and effective, eliminating the need for great powers to necessarily trust one another. 

If a more multilateral treaty is sought, for instance through the UN, specialists have developed for a decade an actionable plan that would activate a Special Session on Disarmament at the UN General Assembly. 

‘The urgency is real as the ‘Doomsday Clock’ demonstrates and is considerably greater than usually acknowledged”, said Manuel Galileo from SOAS University of London. Current superior non-nuclear capabilities by the US could be perceived by China and Russia as threatening strategic stability. Trump may seek to dissuade Moscow and Beijing of this, by signaling that Washington is willing to reinvigorate arms control discussions and potentially negotiations. These signals by the world’s most powerful country may open a new page in international arms control. 

Ultimately, while Trump’s vision may face challenges in reality, this pragmatic package, developed by academics over a decade for this precise moment when world leaders prioritise global arms control, appears not only hopeful but also actionable.