Topic - Nuclear Planning Group

The Nuclear Planning Group was established in December 1966 to allow better communication, nuclear consultation and involvement among Allied NATO nations to deal with matters related to nuclear policy issues. During the period of the Cold War, NATO Allied Nations recognized the need for greater incorporation of nuclear weapons as part of their defense strategy. Because of the lack of information sharing caused by restrictive US nuclear information sharing policy, many attempts were made to increase US-NATO communication and information sharing in relation to nuclear weapons such as the amendment of the Atomic Energy Act, the US-NATO Information Agreement, and the proposal of the Multilateral Nuclear Force (MLF). There are three main levels to the Nuclear Planning Group. These are the ministerial level of the Nuclear Planning Group, the Permanent Representatives Group, and the Staff Group. In addition, the High-Level Group is a closely related organization that works in an advisory manner with the Nuclear Planning Group. Deliberations upon agenda topics will begin from the Staff Group level and eventually ascend to the ministerial level. The membership of the Nuclear Planning Group consists of all the NATO members with the exception of France. Overall, the Nuclear Planning Group has created policy guidelines for nuclear-related topics while minimizing any threats of global nuclear conflicts. - Source: Wikipedia