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2024 - 11 - 19

Putin's Nuclear Jenga: Where's the Next Move?

ATACMS Missiles - Biden Administration - Geopolitics - Military Strategy - Nuclear Doctrine - Russia - Ukraine - Vladimir Putin - Zelensky

As Ukraine strikes back with US missiles, Putin plays a high-stakes game of nuclear chess. What’s his next move?

As the war in Ukraine reaches its staggering 1000th day, the tension between the United States and Russia has reached new heights. Following the US's decision to permit Ukraine to utilize long-range ATACMS missiles to strike within Russian territory, President Vladimir Putin has made a significant adjustment to Russia's nuclear doctrine. Under these new rules, any large-scale conventional attack on Russia, whether it be from missiles, drones, or aircraft, could now warrant a nuclear response. This marks a chilling escalatory step in a conflict that continues to wreak havoc and challenge global stability.

In a surprising twist, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted saying that the Kremlin's updated approach now means that Ukraine's deployment of US-supplied rockets may just cross the nuclear line. This newfound flexibility in Russia’s nuclear threshold sends shivers down the spine of diplomats worldwide, raising fears that the war could spiral out of control. As Russian forces continue to grapple with Ukraine’s counterattacks, including a recent strike on a key weapons depot near Bryansk, the situation grows increasingly complex and precarious.

Meanwhile, Ukraine, bolstered by Western support, is urging its allies to intensify military efforts against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for increased action, emphasizing a commitment to not only repel invaders but also push the offensive. The support of Western nations, like the expected provision of UK’s Storm Shadow missiles, significantly empowers Kyiv's resolve. In this deadly game of military chess, every piece counts, and moves are laden with perilous consequences.

As we inch closer to an uncertain future, it’s crucial to remember one unsettling fact: the revised doctrine from Russia suggests that defensive actions by neighboring nations could bring about retaliation well beyond traditional measures. This brings to light the thin line separating peace from intense conflict in global politics. And while Ukraine fights for its sovereignty, Russia’s stubborn insistence on perceived provocations only underscores the fragility of the current geopolitical climate. Stay tuned as this high-stakes battle of wills unfurls – after all, one false move in this nuclear Jenga might just topple the entire game!

Post cover — Image courtesy of "BBC News"

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Putin's Nuclear Jenga: Where's the Next Move?

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