Eric Mack -July 8, 2021
A recently released Pentagon report warns of “increased potential” for nuclear war as the chief enemies of the U.S. are stockpiling nuclear weapons.
“No potential adversary has reduced either the role of nuclear weapons in its national security strategy or the number of nuclear weapons it fields,” according to the 2020 Pentagon report.
“Rather, they have moved decidedly in the opposite direction. As a result, there is an increased potential for regional conflicts involving nuclear-armed adversaries in several parts of the world and the potential for adversary nuclear escalation in crisis or conflict.”
The report, delivering “fundamental principles and guidance to plan, execute, and assess nuclear operations,” was finished in April 2020, but released publicly Tuesday, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reported.
Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are highlighted as the chief threats to nuclear war.
The report pointed out that the U.S. nuclear weapons program is designed as a deterrent, noting the goal will be “effectively assuring allies regarding the credibility of U.S. nuclear deterrence enables most to eschew possession of nuclear weapons, thereby contributing to U.S. nonproliferation goals.”
Failing deterrence of an attack on the U.S. or its allies, U.S. nuclear weapons will be reserved for “extreme circumstances,” according to the report.