The Darkening Nuclear Shadow Over the Ukraine War

Eric GomezIn a few days the nuclear risks associated with Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine have gonefrom the background to front and center. Over the weekend, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared that nuclear forces were being placed on “special combat readiness. ” Precisely what Putin’s declaration means for the disposition of Russian nuclear forces is unclear, but the declaration was the clearest example of nuclear signaling thus far in the crisis.Putin ’s statement comes amid a rapid escalation of economic and diplomatic actions to punish him and Russia for attacking Ukraine. The breakneck speed and sweeping scope of Russia ’s economic and diplomatic isolation are unprecedented. This isolation combined with Russia’s poor showing on the battlefield put Putin in an increasingly desperate situation.The nuclear announcement is likely intended as a warning against further and more direct intervention by the United States and Europe, especially military intervention. Put differently, Russia ’s message appears to be that costs inflicted on it by the West could increase nuclear danger, so don’t think that more pressure—and especially direct military intervention—are going to be cost free.There are several options for the U.S. and its allies to respond to Putin ’s signal in ways that reduce nuclear risk. The first step, which Washington has already taken, is to signal restraint bynot elevating the alert level of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Ano...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs