Austin at STRATCOM: nuclear powers must avoid ‘irresponsible’ threats

Austin at STRATCOM: nuclear powers must avoid ‘irresponsible’ threats
Austin at STRATCOM: nuclear powers must avoid ‘irresponsible’ threats

During a roundtable with reporters a STRATCOM representative said recent comments by Russia’s Vladimir Putin “wanted to message that he would not take first strike off the table.”

Amid geopolitical instability, NNSA looks to industry for new arms control verification tech

Amid geopolitical instability, NNSA looks to industry for new arms control verification tech
Amid geopolitical instability, NNSA looks to industry for new arms control verification tech

For US nuclear stocks, Jill Hruby of the Department of Energy said, “this is the most demanding moment in the history of our nation’s nuclear enterprise since the Manhattan Project.”

China could obtain 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, Pentagon estimates

China could obtain 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, Pentagon estimates
China could obtain 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, Pentagon estimates

“What we’re looking at here, it raises some questions, I think, about their intent,” a senior defense official told reporters.

Nuclear deterrence lessons from Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

Nuclear deterrence lessons from Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan
Nuclear deterrence lessons from Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan

Ambiguity marks China’s management of its nuclear forces and how it discusses them and uses them to deter. Unlike the US and Russia, Dean Cheng said “the Chinese believe ambiguity and doubt promote deterrence.”

‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell
‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell

The context for President Biden’s almost four-hour discussion Monday night with President Xi Jinpeng, Kurt Campbell said, is “that the United States is here to stay in the Indo-Pacific, and we’re going to defend and support the operating system that has been so good for so many of us for many years.”

US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China

US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China
US Momentum Grows For Push To Start Strategic Talks With China

“It is going to take us 10 to 15 years to modernize 400 silos that already exist. And China is basically building almost that many overnight. So the speed of difference in that threat is what really concerns me most,” Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs says.

China’s Nuclear Forces Swell: A Tri-Polar World?

China’s Nuclear Forces Swell: A Tri-Polar World?
China’s Nuclear Forces Swell: A Tri-Polar World?

The combination of a modern long-range bomber (the H-20), and an expanded seaborne ballistic missile force, as well as this massive inflation of the land-based ICBM component, makes China’s nuclear forces look far more like their “hegemonic” counterparts in Russia and the United States than the minimal or limited deterrent presented by French or British nuclear forces.

Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy

Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy
Chinese Nuke Modernization Prompts Shift In DoD Strategy

“The growing diversity of the Chinese nuclear threat and its mixing in with conventional forces creates complexity for US commanders. It is also unclear what conditions would lead to PRC nuclear use, since their arsenal is growing and creating more options,” Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute says.