Biden's New Nuclear Strategy: A Shift Toward China

[Social Media]

 

President Joe Biden has approved revisions to a classified nuclear strategy document that significantly alters Washington's approach to nuclear deterrence. For the first time, the strategy now prioritizes addressing China's rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal, signaling a major shift in U.S. defense policy. The document, titled "Nuclear Employment Guidance," was updated in March, marking a crucial development in the ongoing redefinition of global nuclear threats.

 

The updates to this strategic document are highly classified, with only a few hard copies distributed to select national security and Pentagon officials. The New York Times reported on these changes, noting that the document is revised approximately every four years. No electronic versions exist, underscoring the sensitive nature of the information contained within.

 

Hints of this strategic pivot were recently evident in public comments by senior Biden administration officials. In June, Pranay Vaddi, the National Security Council's senior director for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, emphasized the need for a strategy that could simultaneously deter Russia, China, and North Korea. Speaking at the annual Arms Control Association meeting, Vaddi underscored the necessity of a multifaceted approach to nuclear deterrence in light of evolving global threats.

 

Earlier this month, Vipin Narang, a former acting assistant secretary of defense for space policy, spoke of the recent updates to nuclear weapons employment guidance. Narang highlighted that the revisions were specifically designed to address the growing challenge posed by multiple nuclear-armed adversaries, with a particular focus on China's significantly expanding nuclear capabilities.

 

Although the White House has not officially announced any changes to its nuclear deterrence strategy, the reports come at a time of heightened concern over potential nuclear threats from global adversaries such as China and Russia. The Pentagon's latest assessments indicate that Beijing now possesses over 500 operational nuclear warheads. This number is expected to surpass 1,000 by 2030, reflecting a rapid and concerning expansion of China's nuclear arsenal.

 

The growing military collaboration between Russia, China, and North Korea, particularly in the context of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, has further exacerbated security concerns for the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. As these relationships deepen, the strategic environment becomes increasingly complex, requiring the U.S. to adapt its nuclear deterrence strategies accordingly.

 

During his presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump repeatedly warned of an impending nuclear conflict, arguing that the U.S. could be heading toward a major nuclear confrontation. In an interview with Elon Musk, streamed live on X (formerly known as Twitter), Trump suggested that China might soon "catch up, maybe even surpass" the U.S. in terms of nuclear weapons capabilities. 

 

China's response to these claims was swift. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, addressed the issue at a press conference, stating that the "nuclear arsenal of the U.S. is way bigger than China's." Lin reiterated China's "no-first-use" policy, which commits the nation to not using nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction as a first strike in warfare. This policy stands in stark contrast to the aggressive nuclear posturing that has characterized recent global discourse.

 

The Pentagon's report from the previous fall provided a sobering assessment of the U.S.'s own nuclear capabilities. It revealed that the United States has about 3,700 nuclear warheads in its stockpile, with approximately 1,419 strategic nuclear weapons currently deployed. These figures illustrate the scale of the U.S.'s nuclear arsenal, which, despite China's rapid expansion, remains significantly larger.

 

As the Biden administration continues to navigate this increasingly volatile global landscape, the recent updates to the "Nuclear Employment Guidance" reflect a broader recognition of the shifting balance of power. The focus on China underscores the growing challenge that Beijing's military advancements pose to U.S. national security and global stability.

 

In this context, the revisions to Washington's nuclear strategy represent not just a response to immediate threats, but a long-term adjustment to the changing dynamics of international security. The coming years will likely see further developments in this area as the U.S. seeks to maintain its strategic edge in an increasingly multipolar world. As tensions with nuclear-armed adversaries continue to rise, the importance of a robust and adaptable deterrence strategy cannot be overstated.

 

Credit: Newsweek  2024-08-22

 

 

 

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[A1Str8]

Many times high ranking retired military leaders, decorated pilots etc talked about it that every time there's nuclear weapons testing, their aircraft fails, the weapons system malfunctions and they are just unable to use nuclear technology. This has been ongoing for a long time. 

How come they never discuss that😅. 

[thaibeachlovers]

Oooh Biden doesn't like it when those annoying Chinese are capable of obliterating the US. It was so much better when the US was able to obliterate China without any comeback.

 

It must be galling that China is only able to do so because the west has been giving China the money and the technology to do so.

 

 

[JonnyF]

Just bow out gracefully Joe. No need for this silly posturing especially since you lost all credibility after being bullied out by old lady Pelosi.

 

[Dcheech]

36 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Oooh Biden doesn't like it when those annoying Chinese are capable of obliterating the US. It was so much better when the US was able to obliterate China without any comeback.

China had ICBM's deployed by the late 70's. China has had the capability to obliterate the US for almost fifty years & eight US Presidents.

BTW, Likely S Korea will go nuke by the end of this decade. Given political instability in the US (Trump) they want have their own little radioactive pile a death. N. Korea is next door & shakes their nukes a bit much. Hey, perhaps China, can play peacemaker for the Koreas ...  ... or not.

 

Edited August 22 by Dcheech

[2baht]

China must be really satisfied with the continuing debarcle in the USA. I'm sure China in some way is supporting the lying fool Trump, he would fit the Chinese agenda perfectly!

[Gweiloman]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Oooh Biden doesn't like it when those annoying Chinese are capable of obliterating the US. It was so much better when the US was able to obliterate China without any comeback.

 

It must be galling that China is only able to do so because the west has been giving China the money and the technology to do so.

 

 

Except that China has no intention of obliterating anyone. It could spend a lot more money on weapons and ammunition but instead spends billions on infrastructure to raise the living standards of its population.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Except that China has no intention of obliterating anyone. It could spend a lot more money on weapons and ammunition but instead spends billions on infrastructure to raise the living standards of its population.

That, IMO, is because the dictators fear the mob and are buying them off with baubles.

[animalmagic]

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

Except that China has no intention of obliterating anyone. It could spend a lot more money on weapons and ammunition but instead spends billions on infrastructure to raise the living standards of its population.

And yet China is halting many infrastructure projects.

Exclusive: China orders indebted local governments to halt some infrastructure projects-sources | Reuters

Many of the infrastructure projects are of poor quality

China’s Global Mega-Projects Are Falling Apart - WSJ

Many projects are collapsing

China: Multiple Roads And Bridges Collapse Leaving Over 100 Dead, Poor Quality 'Tofu-dreg' Infrastructure Comes Under Scrutiny (swarajyamag.com)

China faces several problems -

1. single source financing,
2. poor quality urban infrastructure,
3. over capacity challenges; and
4. shortfall in funding promises to S.E. Asian nations.

The construction boom made existing companies very busy and very rich; to the extent that many smaller companies were formed by 'experienced personnel' who left them and then vied for the smaller urban development contracts where they employed unskilled workers, cut corners and used shoddy materials.  Construction in these areas is referred to as tofu dreg for good reason.  Question is - how far does the rot spread.  There were never enough competent and experienced skilled workers to deal with the construction boom.

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

President Joe Biden has approved revisions to a classified nuclear strategy document that significantly alters Washington's approach to nuclear deterrence. For the first time, the strategy now prioritizes addressing China's rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal, signaling a major shift in U.S. defense policy. The document, titled "Nuclear Employment Guidance," was updated in March, marking a crucial development in the ongoing redefinition of global nuclear threats.

 

The updates to this strategic document are highly classified, with only a few hard copies distributed to select national security and Pentagon officials. The New York Times reported on these changes, noting that the document is revised approximately every four years. No electronic versions exist, underscoring the sensitive nature of the information contained within.

 

Hints of this strategic pivot were recently evident in public comments by senior Biden administration officials. In June, Pranay Vaddi, the National Security Council's senior director for arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, emphasized the need for a strategy that could simultaneously deter Russia, China, and North Korea. Speaking at the annual Arms Control Association meeting, Vaddi underscored the necessity of a multifaceted approach to nuclear deterrence in light of evolving global threats.

 

Earlier this month, Vipin Narang, a former acting assistant secretary of defense for space policy, spoke of the recent updates to nuclear weapons employment guidance. Narang highlighted that the revisions were specifically designed to address the growing challenge posed by multiple nuclear-armed adversaries, with a particular focus on China's significantly expanding nuclear capabilities.

 

Although the White House has not officially announced any changes to its nuclear deterrence strategy, the reports come at a time of heightened concern over potential nuclear threats from global adversaries such as China and Russia. The Pentagon's latest assessments indicate that Beijing now possesses over 500 operational nuclear warheads. This number is expected to surpass 1,000 by 2030, reflecting a rapid and concerning expansion of China's nuclear arsenal.

 

The growing military collaboration between Russia, China, and North Korea, particularly in the context of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, has further exacerbated security concerns for the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. As these relationships deepen, the strategic environment becomes increasingly complex, requiring the U.S. to adapt its nuclear deterrence strategies accordingly.

 

During his presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump repeatedly warned of an impending nuclear conflict, arguing that the U.S. could be heading toward a major nuclear confrontation. In an interview with Elon Musk, streamed live on X (formerly known as Twitter), Trump suggested that China might soon "catch up, maybe even surpass" the U.S. in terms of nuclear weapons capabilities. 

 

China's response to these claims was swift. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, addressed the issue at a press conference, stating that the "nuclear arsenal of the U.S. is way bigger than China's." Lin reiterated China's "no-first-use" policy, which commits the nation to not using nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction as a first strike in warfare. This policy stands in stark contrast to the aggressive nuclear posturing that has characterized recent global discourse.

 

The Pentagon's report from the previous fall provided a sobering assessment of the U.S.'s own nuclear capabilities. It revealed that the United States has about 3,700 nuclear warheads in its stockpile, with approximately 1,419 strategic nuclear weapons currently deployed. These figures illustrate the scale of the U.S.'s nuclear arsenal, which, despite China's rapid expansion, remains significantly larger.

 

As the Biden administration continues to navigate this increasingly volatile global landscape, the recent updates to the "Nuclear Employment Guidance" reflect a broader recognition of the shifting balance of power. The focus on China underscores the growing challenge that Beijing's military advancements pose to U.S. national security and global stability.

 

In this context, the revisions to Washington's nuclear strategy represent not just a response to immediate threats, but a long-term adjustment to the changing dynamics of international security. The coming years will likely see further developments in this area as the U.S. seeks to maintain its strategic edge in an increasingly multipolar world. As tensions with nuclear-armed adversaries continue to rise, the importance of a robust and adaptable deterrence strategy cannot be overstated.

 

Credit: Newsweek  2024-08-22

 

 

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

 

I doubt it that the approach to more weapons will be a strategy for peace.

But big money will send congrats.

🥺

[CanadaSam]

51 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

Many of the infrastructure projects are of poor quality

 

Having first hand seen and experienced Chinese road building, I would say they are far superior to many other countries efforts, including LOS, where highways are akin to roller coaster rides.

[Luuk Chaai]

The updates to this strategic document are highly classified, with only a few hard copies distributed 

 

wait a few months ..   they will be available right next to the Corvette   

[johng]

7 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Although the White House has not officially announced any changes to its nuclear deterrence strategy, the reports come at a time of heightened concern over potential nuclear threats from global adversaries such as China and Russia.

The one and only country to unleash nuclear terror on innocent civilians x 2  has the gall to pontificate  how everyone else in the world should not have the capability to use them 🤢

[MicroB]

8 hours ago, johng said:

The one and only country to unleash nuclear terror on innocent civilians x 2  has the gall to pontificate  how everyone else in the world should not have the capability to use them 🤢

 

The other signatories to the NPT also "pontificate" about who else in the world should not have nuclear weapons.

[thaibeachlovers]

8 hours ago, johng said:

The one and only country to unleash nuclear terror on innocent civilians x 2  has the gall to pontificate  how everyone else in the world should not have the capability to use them 🤢

Personally I don't see any difference between using an atomic bomb and burning thousands of people to death in a firestorm eg Dresden, Tokyo etc.

Those first ones were quite small compared to the "new improved" ones of today.

However, while a firestorm in Japanese cities failed to bring about an end to the war two atomic bombs did in short order.

The US GIs that would have died in an invasion of the mainland were probably grateful that the bombs were used.

[Luuk Chaai]

47 minutes ago, MicroB said:

The one and only country to unleash nuclear terror on innocent civilians x 2  has the gall to pontificate  how everyone else in the world should not have the capability to use them 🤢

The other signatories to the NPT also "pontificate" about who else in the world should not have nuclear weapons.

you went there .....short memory ?

[Gweiloman]

19 hours ago, animalmagic said:

And yet China is halting many infrastructure projects.

Exclusive: China orders indebted local governments to halt some infrastructure projects-sources | Reuters

Many of the infrastructure projects are of poor quality

China’s Global Mega-Projects Are Falling Apart - WSJ

Many projects are collapsing

China: Multiple Roads And Bridges Collapse Leaving Over 100 Dead, Poor Quality 'Tofu-dreg' Infrastructure Comes Under Scrutiny (swarajyamag.com)

China faces several problems -

1. single source financing,
2. poor quality urban infrastructure,
3. over capacity challenges; and
4. shortfall in funding promises to S.E. Asian nations.

The construction boom made existing companies very busy and very rich; to the extent that many smaller companies were formed by 'experienced personnel' who left them and then vied for the smaller urban development contracts where they employed unskilled workers, cut corners and used shoddy materials.  Construction in these areas is referred to as tofu dreg for good reason.  Question is - how far does the rot spread.  There were never enough competent and experienced skilled workers to deal with the construction boom.

And yet, America lives in fear of China overtaking it and tries to contain it in every way imaginable. I wonder why.

[KhunLA]

"President Joe Biden has approved revisions to a classified nuclear strategy document"

 

... shouldn't all these headlines say "Pres. Biden's handlers approved .... " 

[animalmagic]

2 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

And yet, America lives in fear of China overtaking it and tries to contain it in every way imaginable. I wonder why.

Hmm, 🤔 let me think. Perhaps because china is one of the most xenophobic totalitarian countries around?

[johng]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

However, while a firestorm in Japanese cities failed to bring about an end to the war two atomic bombs did in short order.

It's said that the Japanese were on their "last knockings"  and would have surrendered even if the bombs were not dropped...in any case there was no need to send troops to invade the mainland  as Japan is an island there could have been a naval siege yes it would take a bit longer.

 

12 hours ago, MicroB said:

The other signatories to the NPT also "pontificate" about who else in the world should not have nuclear weapons.

Yes mostly total hypocrites,  there should be no nuclear weapons

so why do some countries admit to having thousands and thousands of warheads but are allowed to keep having them,  others say they don't have any but everyone suspects they do have them with no consequences  other countries say they want them but are prevented from advancing their programs  and other countries say they want nuclear for peaceful energy purposes but are sanctioned and bombed  for trying to advance themself.