The US pointed to the growing threat from the Russian Federation and China.
The US Strategic Command considers it possible direct conflict with a nuclear-armed state. This was stated by Admiral of the Navy and commander of the US Strategic Command Charles Richard, the press service of the US Ministry of Defense reports.
Charles Richard took part in a panel discussion on important issues of US national security “America under attack – protecting the homeland”.
“All of us in this room are once again thinking about competition through crisis and possible direct armed conflict with a nuclear partner. We haven't had to do this in over 30 years. The consequences of this are profound. They are important for protecting the homeland. They are important for strategic deterrence as well as for us to achieve our national goals. And it's not theoretical anymore,” he said.
Every plan and capability of the US Department of Defense is based on the assumption that strategic deterrence, and nuclear deterrence in particular, works, Richard said. If this assumption is not met, nothing else in the Department of Defense or the joint force will function as designed.
“Russia and China can go to any level of violence they choose, in any area, with any tool of influence around the world. We simply haven't faced such opponents for a long time,” he added.
Because of this, the agency will have to change its approach to waging war, Richard believes. In his view, slower traditional approaches to escalation are no longer working.
Defending the homeland, combatant commanders will need to act quickly against the adversary in all domains: on land, at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace, he said. he.
According to Richard, the recent review of US nuclear strategy contains an excellent approach. The strategy involves modernizing the nuclear triad and its management system.
“We need to implement this very good strategy as the threat from China continues to grow. We don't know where this will end as the threat from Russia continues to grow along with other challenges we face,” Richard said.
Also read: Putin brandishing the 'nuclear card' is an act of weakness — USA
Recall that during the announcement of partial mobilization, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons.
The representative of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, said that the United States of America takes the president's words very seriously. Vladimir Putin's Russia regarding the possible use of nuclear weapons, but so far they do not see the need to change their strategic positions.
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Previously, the US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink stated that the United States of America are developing an action plan in case Russia uses nuclear weapons.
