In this way, Russia is intent on exploiting what it perceives as a U.S. nuclear capability gap on the lower levels of the escalatory ladder. That is because a high-yield, long-range U.S. response to Russia's first, limited use of a low-yield nuclear weapon against a military target is not credible. The Russians believe we are not likely to risk a global thermonuclear war in response to a "tactical" nuclear attack by them.We must change that calculation; we must close the credibility gap. To convince Moscow that there are no possible benefits to limited nuclear escalation, the United States needs to diversify its nuclear delivery system options on the lower levels of the escalatory ladder, including adding submarine-launched missiles and sea-launched cruise missiles with low-yield nuclear warheads. We must let the Russians know that there will be unacceptable consequences if they ever use such weapons.The low-yield nuclear options proposed in the 2018 National Posture Review and … [Read more...] about Why the United States needs low-yield nuclear weapons to deal with emerging threats
Nuclear weapon
Russian Senators Want to Make It Easier to Use Nuclear Weapons Because They Think Threat of War Is Increasing
World International Affairs Russian senators have proposed changes to the country's nuclear doctrine, potentially giving Moscow the power to launch weapons of mass destructions in response to a conventional attack. Members of the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia's parliament, recommended Wednesday that Moscow expand its nuclear doctrine to include "taking a decision to retaliate in case of enemy use of hypersonic and other strategic conventional weapons" according to a state-run RIA Novosti report translated by fellow Russian government-owned outlet RT. The discussions reportedly came after consultations with officials from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The news came as President Donald Trump publicly considered leaving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, to which Russian President Vladimir Putin and members of his administration have threatened to respond with military measures of their own. A member of Russia's Strategic Missile Troops guides an … [Read more...] about Russian Senators Want to Make It Easier to Use Nuclear Weapons Because They Think Threat of War Is Increasing
Energy company applies to drill wells near former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant
As a decision looms by Colorado voters on more stringent siting requirements for oil and gas drilling, an energy company has applied to drill up to 31 wells near the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant. Highlands Natural Resources Corp., registered in the United Kingdom, applied this month to the state for a spacing plan for wells on a 2,560-acre site where it has leased minerals in the area of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. Rocky Flats, between Denver and Boulder, was converted to a wildlife refuge after a $7.7 billion Superfund cleanup of a plant that produced plutonium triggers for nuclear bombs from 1952 to 1989. The Department of Energy retains control of a 1,300-acre fenced core where contaminated waste is buried. Highlands said in a statement Wednesday that because of the public’s concern about development in the area, it “intentionally located proposed oil and gas locations outside the Rocky Flats National Wildlife … [Read more...] about Energy company applies to drill wells near former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant
Second Trump-Kim Summit Can Go Ahead Without List of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Pence Says
North Korea will not be required to provide a complete list of its nuclear weapons and missile sites before a second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Vice-President Mike Pence told NBC News Thursday. The U.S. has pressed the North for information on the entirety of its nuclear operations since an initial agreement for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula was reached in June. But the Kim regime has refused to provide details of the nation's operations and postponed scheduled meetings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York last week. Now, the second summit between the two leaders — slated for after the New Year — will be where a "verifiable plan" to disclose the sites and weapons must be reached, Pence said. This week, a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies outlined a number of missile operating bases that the North Koreans have continued to develop since the Trump-Kim … [Read more...] about Second Trump-Kim Summit Can Go Ahead Without List of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Pence Says
Second Trump-Kim Summit to Go Ahead Without List of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Pence Says
North Korea will not be required to provide a complete list of its nuclear weapons and missile sites before a second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Vice-President Mike Pence told NBC News Thursday. The U.S. has pressed the North for information on the entirety of its nuclear operations since an initial agreement for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula was reached in June. But the Kim regime has refused to provide details of the nation's operations and postponed scheduled meetings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York last week. Now, the second summit between the two leaders — slated for after the New Year — will be where a "verifiable plan" to disclose the sites and weapons must be reached, Pence said. This week, a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies outlined a number of missile operating bases that the North Koreans have continued to develop since the Trump-Kim … [Read more...] about Second Trump-Kim Summit to Go Ahead Without List of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Pence Says