Role: How has the fundamental purpose of U.S. nuclear weapons and their place in U.S. national security strategy adapted to shifts in the international security context?

Function: How do the U.S. nuclear arsenal and its associated infrastructure and delivery systems fulfill their role?

Posture: What size, shape, distribution, and readiness of nuclear forces is necessary for them to fulfill their role and perform their functions?

Priority: When faced with difficult trade-offs, are policymakers willing to make the difficult choices necessary to demonstrate commitment through the allocation of time, attention, and resources?