As the US and Russia face off in nuclear negotiations to extend or let lapse the last major nuclear arms control agreement, Strategic Demands is posting a critical plan for disarmament from Global Zero. Global Zero’s approach is a serious move away from nuclear disaster
Category: Russia
US Nuke Buildup, New Nuke Arms Race
It doesn’t take a Kissinger to see how nations respond to threats. It doesn’t take a Balance of Power theory to explain why when one nation throws out arms control and races to build a next generation of new nuclear weapons, then other nations will race to not become a hostage to hard power. So […]
Spend Russia and China ‘into oblivion’
As nuclear weapons control agreements have fallen one after another since the Trump presidency commenced, a new US int’l envoy announces a new US nuclear weapons strategy. The Boston Globe quotes Marshall Billingslea: the US is prepared to spend Russia and China ‘into oblivion’. We are now witnessing a new nuclear arms race, a MAD-strategy
China – Russia – US – Mutual Existential Threat, Nuclear Weapons 21st Century
At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and US took a half century facing off and ramping up nuclear weapons. Doomsday war games threatened life on the planet. Dr. Strangelove-types planned to ‘bring it on’. Today, proliferators are back with a vengeance. Time to meet ‘MET’
Bret Stephens, NYT, Pushes for More Nukes
An op-ed in the N.Y. Times informs us the U.S. needs more nukes. As if the collapse of nuclear arms agreements isn’t enough, someone says step on the pedal, speed up the nuke production line, proliferate, escalate, ratchet up, unleash a new arms race. Who is this op-ed writer?
Another Nuclear Weapons Treaty ‘Bites the Dust’
As the INF and nuclear weapons control architecture collapses, we see no discussion in the US presidential TV debates re: the new nuclear arms race, a next generation of smart, ‘usable’, nuclear weapons, revelations of Saudi-Trump nuclear development, and talk of ending the nuclear test ban treaty
Report from Vladivostok
Nuclear Talks, Nuclear Risks North Korea and Russia Take Next Steps VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) — Smiling and upbeat, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday stepped off his khaki-green armored train in far-eastern Russia for a much-anticipated summit with President Vladimir Putin that comes amid deadlocked diplomacy on his nuclear program.
Eurasian Thoughts and China-EU Summit
China expansion, U.S. containment… Continuing the Strategic Demands’ Eurasia series, a few crucial ‘Great Game’ thoughts with Pepe Escobar via Asia Times. Moving pieces on an extremely complex – and dangerous – geopolitical chessboard
The Eurasia Great Game
Eurasian Great Game; Eurasia Strategy; One Belt, One Road; New Silk Road — call it what you will. The eyes of the West are opening. Alternatives to and for the Eurodollar and Petrodollar are real, markets are shifting with new alliances. Yuan time. Next moves are strategic plays
Carnegie Nuclear Policy Conference
As the international nuclear arms control architecture collapses, the progenitors of nuclear weapons control meet up at their annual DC confab to talk of strategic issues and academically shake their heads witnessing a descent toward a nuclear precipice … Nukes in the new era of proliferation … The 2019 Carnegie Nuclear Policy Conference
Global Security Fears: Climate and the U.S.
Global Poll (Pew Research) Climate change increasingly ranks as the world’s most pressing security threat… Fears about American power grow … ”Nations in the survey say the influence of the U.S. is a major threat to their countries… more people now say the U.S. is a threat than in 2013 and 2017 …
On a November Day
As the U.S. energy policy continues to focus on fossil fuels, we at Strategic Demands take a look at the data and consider crude oil proved reserves. It is an appropriate moment to consider the longer term, e.g., the longevity of the U.S. fracking upsurge… and consequences
Tariffs + Sanctions
Strategic policy and strategic ramifications, short-, mid-, and long-term. China warns U.S. to withdraw sanctions or ‘bear the consequences’
US Nuclear Posture Review Released
The new Nuclear Posture Review signals a new nuclear arms race. Luck of the draw. “Do you feel lucky?” The question of generational, existential risk takes on new dimension as strategic arms experts ask deadly end game questions. Nuclear tensions are turning to nuclear threats, an international ramp up of nuclear weapons development, ‘usable’ nukes, […]
Let Us Warn of Consequences
The U.S. needs new oversight on the unlimited power of the president to order nuclear use on any day at any moment for whatever reason. The singular nuclear launch authority one person has is an extreme and potentially cataclysmic authority. Now is the time for a sane nuclear launch system
United Nations Security Council Convenes
Failure to act warning by Sec of State Tillerson: “Failing to act now on the most pressing security issue in the world may bring catastrophic consequences.” In an earlier “Oval Office” Reuters interview, the president is quoted: “There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea”
Nuclear #HairTrigger, Nuclear First Use
The “button” can morph into a perverse temptation for an unstable leader. In 1974, during his impeachment proceedings, President Richard M. Nixon said to reporters: “I can go into my office and pick up the telephone, and in 25 minutes, 70 million people will be dead.”
