US changes nuclear policy to "threaten" Russia

This is the first time since 2010 that the US military has released an assessment of its nuclear arsenal and future nuclear threats. Illustration photo: Sputnik

According to the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) released by the US Department of Defense, the US is concerned that Russia considers US nuclear weapons to be "too large" and thus limiting its deterrence capabilities. Therefore, the NPR proposes developing nuclear weapons in a more compact direction, with an explosive yield of less than 20 kilotons.

"Our strategy is to ensure that Russia understands that any use of nuclear weapons, no matter how limited, is unacceptable," the NPR said.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said: "We cannot let our nuclear arsenal become obsolete." The proposal to modernize the nuclear arsenal is assessed as not increasing the US nuclear arsenal but will reshape the purpose of using nuclear warheads.

This is the first time since 2010 that the US military has released an assessment of its nuclear arsenal and future nuclear threats.

In addition to Russia, NPR also expressed the US administration's concerns about threats from North Korea, Iran and China.

President Trump also voiced support for the new nuclear policy yesterday. "Over the past decade, while the United States has worked to reduce the role and number of nuclear weapons, other nuclear nations have expanded their arsenals, increased the role of nuclear weapons in their security strategies, and in some cases even pursued the development of new nuclear capabilities to threaten other nations," Trump said.