Nuclear war with China or Russia a ‘real possibility,’ STRATCOM commander warns
The head of U.S. Strategic Command is looking for navy and federal leaders to reimagine strategies of deterring aggressive motion from rivals akin to China and Russia, together with the “real possibility” of nuclear war.
In a stark evaluation of the present geopolitical panorama, STRATCOM Commander Adm. Charles Richard warned that China and Russia have “begun to aggressively challenge international norms” in “ways not seen since the height of the Cold War.” Richard cited a rise in cyberattacks and “threats in space,” in addition to their funding in superior arms akin to nuclear weapons.
STRATCOM is accountable for the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
“There is a real possibility that a regional crisis with Russia or China could escalate quickly to a conflict involving nuclear weapons, if they perceived a conventional loss would threaten the regime or state,” Richard wrote within the February problem of “Proceedings,” the U.S. Naval Institute’s month-to-month journal. “Consequently, the U.S. military must shift its principal assumption from “nuclear employment just isn’t potential” to “nuclear employment is a very actual chance,” and act to meet and deter that reality.”
“We cannot approach nuclear deterrence the same way,” he added. “It must be tailored and evolved for the dynamic environment we face.”
Richard argued that current actions by each nations would “increase the risk of great power crisis or conflict” if “left unchecked” by U.S. officers. The STRATCOM commander famous Russia was “aggressively modernizing” its nuclear arsenal and China is “also on a trajectory to be a strategic peer” and shouldn’t be mistaken as a “lesser included” case.”
Richard outlined several steps necessary to improve preparedness, including the development of a “unity of effort” in regard to deterrence of both rival powers, a review of how to proceed if deterrence were to fail in a given conflict, and a sharpened focus on procurement of weapons systems and other capabilities that would maintain America’s strategic advantage over rivals.
“While that is a sobering image, it’s not meant to discourage; relatively, it’s meant to spotlight actuality and reinvigorate a dialog throughout the enterprise,” Richard added. “Our challenges are usually not insurmountable.”
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Former Gen. Lloyd Austin, President Biden’s newly appointed secretary of protection, signaled throughout his affirmation listening to that he would search to “replace the technique” toward China upon taking office.
“I consider that we nonetheless have the qualitative edge and the aggressive edge over China,” Austin said. “I believe that hole has closed considerably and our purpose will likely be to make sure that we develop that hole going ahead.”
