Initiation Phase

In the complex world of international politics, the strategies and beliefs surrounding nuclear warfare vary significantly among global powers. This article explores the distinct approaches of the United States, China, and Russia in terms of beliefs, deterrence strategies, preparation, and unconventional warfare tactics.

Beliefs and Deterrence Strategies

China

Traditionally, China has maintained a low-alert nuclear posture and a no-first-use policy, pledging never to initiate nuclear war under any conditions. However, recent behavior suggests a potential shift towards a more aggressive posture, with the possibility of adopting the Cold War practice of launch under attack (LUA)—launching nuclear weapons rapidly based on early warning to prevent disarming strikes.

Russia

Russia has expanded the scope of immediate nuclear response scenarios beyond just ballistic missile attacks to include massive conventional attacks, thereby lowering the threshold for nuclear use and demonstrating a more flexible, possibly escalatory deterrence posture.

United States

The United States focuses on technological superiority and modernization of its nuclear forces, emphasizing strategic deterrence while developing advanced capabilities such as the "super-fuze" for increased effectiveness against hardened targets. The U.S. tacitly accepts the coexistence of deterrence and the possibility of limited nuclear warfighting.

Preparation and Nuclear Force Postures

China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, aiming for a regional stalemate with the U.S. or near-parity with U.S. and Russian nuclear warhead numbers by 2035. This move increases China's confidence and leverage in regional conflicts like Taiwan.

Russia is modernizing its warheads and delivery systems to ensure credible second-strike capabilities that can penetrate U.S. missile defenses and survive counter-attacks through mobile launchers, thereby preserving mutual assured destruction (MAD) stability while signaling readiness for various contingencies.

In contrast, U.S. nuclear forces maintain high readiness with advanced technology designed both for deterrence and to potentially engage in limited nuclear use, focusing on flexible response and deterrence across multiple adversaries (Russia, China, North Korea).

Unconventional Warfare Tactics

The U.S. is actively exploring tactical or limited nuclear use scenarios, especially in the Western Pacific, and has developed tactical nuclear weapons options to influence operational battles early in conflict. This could lower the nuclear threshold and increase risks of escalation.

China has not officially pursued tactical nuclear weapons, maintaining strategic weapons dominance and keeping open the option to escalate only as a last resort. However, U.S. tactical nuclear developments might incentivize China to reconsider this posture.

Russia maintains a large inventory of tactical nuclear weapons that enhance its operational flexibility and complicate U.S. strategic planning, signaling a readiness to integrate nuclear weapons directly into battlefield scenarios rather than solely as strategic deterrence.

Overall, the main distinctions are that China historically prioritized minimum deterrence with no first use, but may be shifting towards more aggressive, possibly rapid-response postures. Russia employs flexible and expanded scenarios for nuclear use, combining strategic and tactical weapons to deter both conventional and nuclear threats. Meanwhile, the U.S. modernizes its arsenal to maintain technological edge, prepares for limited nuclear use, and tries to manage deterrence against both China and Russia simultaneously, though these efforts may inadvertently raise strategic risks and escalate tensions.

In the present situation, countries of the East Bloc maintain strict secrecy and hide their leaders, as evidenced by the recent disappearances of various communist leaders such as Vladimir Putin. American strategists focus on deterrence, but lack a strategy once deterrence fails. China and Russia are studying the West's reaction to the virus and preparing for more aggressive coordination towards a potential war.

The international political landscape exhibits diverse perspectives on nuclear warfare, particularly among global powers like the United States, China, and Russia.
China, traditionally, has adhered to a low-alert nuclear posture and a no-first-use policy, but recent shifts indicate a possible shift towards a more assertive posture.
This potential shift for China might include the adoption of launch under attack (LUA), a Cold War practice involving rapid launch of nuclear weapons based on early warning systems.
Russia has extended its immediate nuclear response scenarios beyond just ballistic missile attacks, lowering the threshold for nuclear use and adopting a flexible, potentially escalatory deterrence posture.
The United States concentrates on technologically superior nuclear forces, prioritizing strategic deterrence and developing advanced capabilities such as the "super-fuze" for effective attacks against hardened targets.
China is swiftly increasing its nuclear arsenal, aiming to attain a regional stalemate or near-parity with the US and Russia by 2035, strengthening its influence in regional conflicts like Taiwan.
Russia is modernizing its warheads and delivery systems to maintain credible second-strike capabilities, ensuring the survival of its nuclear forces through mobile launchers and preserving mutual assured destruction (MAD) stability.
U.S. nuclear forces maintain high readiness, emphasizing both deterrence and potential limited nuclear use within flexible response strategies across multiple adversaries (Russia, China, North Korea).
The U.S. has been exploring tactical or limited nuclear use scenarios, particularly in the Western Pacific, and has developed tactical nuclear weapon options to affect early conflict stages.
China, so far, has not officially pursued tactical nuclear weapons, preferring strategic weapons dominance and delaying escalation as a last resort.
US tactical nuclear developments might induce China to reconsider its perspective on tactical nuclear weapons.
Russia sustains a large inventory of tactical nuclear weapons, creating operational flexibility and complicating U.S. strategic planning, while signaling readiness to incorporate nuclear weapons into battlefield scenarios.
In summary, China historically prioritized minimum deterrence with no first use, but is moving towards more assertive, possibly rapid-response postures.
Russia employs a fusion of strategic and tactical weapons to deter both conventional and nuclear threats, demonstrating a flexible and expanded approach to nuclear use.
The U.S. focuses on arsenal modernization to preserve a technological edge, prepares for limited nuclear use, and juggles deterrence against both China and Russia, potentially risking escalation and strategic tensions.
East Bloc countries maintain secrecy over their leaders, as evidenced by recent communist leader disappearances like Vladimir Putin's.
American strategists focus on deterrence, but lack a strategy once deterrence falters.
China and Russia are analyzing the West's response to the pandemic and preparing for more hostile collaborations towards potential warfare scenarios.
Psychological warfare, an important aspect of contemporary politics, is increasingly prevalent in the Information Age, fueled by emotional appeals and the use of misinformation.
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