Events that frame the question as black and white of whether the US should have a nuclear deterrent or if it is important seem useless. https://www.heritage.org/defense/event/the-importance-the-us-nuclear-deterrent … The question is not if, but what kind, how much it should cost, and what it’s mission should be. Can’t have all.
The exercise I like giving undergrads: How many nuclear weapons does the US need in its arsenal to feel "safe"? There are many possible answers — sometimes they say "none," but often it's some non-zero number. It's never more than we already have, though.
