More moderate politicians, such as India's foreign minister, Jaswant Singh, have suggested a less aggressive posture: a capability to respond to a nuclear attack, along with a promise that India would not itself be the first to use nuclear weapons.

ECONOMIST: It's worse than you thought

Obama's behavior since last January 25 has made clear to US friend and foe alike that under Obama, the US is more likely to attack you if you display weakness towards it than if you adopt a confrontational posture against it.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: America and the Arab Spring

Secretary Weinberger will also be remembered for the seminal role he played in shifting the national paradigm from one of deliberate vulnerability to ballistic missile attack to one in which anti-missile defenses are part of a comprehensive homeland security posture.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Caspar W. Weinberger, R.I.P.