A metaphorical "nuclear option" -- the cutoff of debate in theSenate on judicial nominees -- has just been defused, but a literal nuclearoption, called "global strike," has been created in its place. In ashocking innovation in American nuclear policy, recently disclosed in the WashingtonPost by military analyst William Arkin, the administration has created andplaced on continuous high alert a force whereby the President can launch apinpoint strike, including a nuclear strike, anywhere on earth with a few hours'notice. The senatorial "nuclear option" was covered extensively, butsomehow this actual nuclear option -- a "full-spectrum" capability (inthe words of the presidential order) with "precision kinetic (nuclear andconventional) and non-kinetic (elements of space and informationoperations)" -- was almost entirely ignored.