Russia’s Small Nukes are a Big Problem for European Security
Russia’s Small Nukes are a Big Problem for European Security

Summary/Abstract: The Russian Federation has a significant numerical advantage in non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNWs) over NATO and the United States. Moscow could use these low-yield, short-range nuclear weapons to advance its political and military ambitions in a number of scenarios including against Ukraine, NATO, and the United States. Of particular concern is the possibility of Russia employing an “escalate to deescalate” stratagem, using tactical nuclear weapons to prevent a defeat, consolidate geographical gains, or even freeze a conflict in place without the prospect of further fighting. These possibilities mean Russia’s small nuclear weapons are a potentially big threat for European stability and security and a huge problem for those, like the United States and NATO, who seek to protect it.

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