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Why Putin is Threatening a Nuclear War
The recent refinement of Russia’s military nuclear doctrine by President Vladimir Putin marks a significant shift in global security dynamics, particularly amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development has sparked international concern and drawn sharp criticism from the United States, highlighting the delicate balance of nuclear deterrence in modern geopolitics.
Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine represents a careful recalibration of its military strategy. While maintaining the fundamental principle of nuclear weapons as a deterrent, the refined doctrine appears to lower the threshold for potential nuclear use. This modification comes at a time when conventional warfare in Ukraine has reached its 1,000th day, suggesting a possible attempt to strengthen Russia’s strategic position through nuclear signaling.
The doctrine’s refinement includes several key elements. First, it expands the conditions under which Russia might consider nuclear weapon use, potentially including responses to conventional threats that the state deems existential. Second, it emphasizes the integration of nuclear deterrence with conventional military capabilities, creating a more flexible response framework. Third, it appears to blur the traditional lines between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, potentially increasing strategic ambiguity.
