Military expert: US stubbornly adhering to nuclear deterrence based on use of nuclear weapons first

The Americans are spinning a narrative about the nuclear threat, coming primarily from China, finding an excuse to gain a strategic advantage. This particular country is of special concern for the White House, since the PRC has not joined any agreement on limiting and controlling the production of nuclear weapons. Military analyst Igor Chibisov contemplated on how the relations in the field of nuclear safety between the two countries can develop in the future.

“The US concern about China’s nuclear potential is part of the overall strategy to counter the PRC. Beijing is the main competitor and strategic opponent for America. The US stubbornly is stubbornly adhering to nuclear deterrence based on the use of nuclear weapons first. Beijing, in turn, offered the ‘nuclear five’ – the US, France, the UK, Russia, and China – to sign an agreement on the mutual non-use of nuclear weapons first, or at least to make political commitments. Unfortunately, this initiative has not yet received a response. There is no doubt that each of the parties – the US and China – will settle the issue of nuclear security in its own national interests. The US will decide to increase its own nuclear arsenal under the pretext of danger posed by China. The PRC is building up its nuclear potential to the level of the US. In the long term, this is the creation of a nuclear triad. The only question is which of these countries’ economies will withstand the nuclear arms race,” the expert explained.

“The annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published in June, says that China has about 500 nuclear warheads in service – much less than Russia and the US, yet this fact doesn’t calm down the White House. According to an estimate published by the Pentagon, at the current rate of production, China will reach the level of 1,000 warheads in five years. Moreover, Russia has modernised its arsenal, and now it is armed with hypersonic missiles capable of reaching the US in a few minutes and destroying missile silos. At the same time, Washington’s nuclear forces are very outdated – being unable to respond to a potential enemy,” Igor Chibisov continued.

“As you know, Beijing supports holding international consultations to reduce strategic risks worldwide — the country has repeatedly pointed out the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons, that nuclear war cannot be allowed. At the same time, Moscow is preparing to adjust its nuclear doctrine in response to the actions of Western countries,” the military analyst summed up.