US weighs tactical nukes as China, Russia raise escalatory stakes

The US may be entering a period of significant nuclear reassessment as it confronts a growing mismatch between its predominantly strategic arsenal and adversaries increasingly prepared for limited nuclear use.

This month, Breaking Defense reported that the US Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated a review of the nation’s nuclear posture to expand tactical nuclear strike options for the White House. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby confirmed the re-examination of nuclear employment guidance, citing the need for “rational nuclear options” in response to potential regional conflicts with China or Russia.

The policy review comes amid longstanding US DoD concerns over foreign developments in low-yield warheads, which risk leaving the US without proportional non-strategic responses.

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