U.S. media outlets are clamoring for more war in Ukraine, even as Putin raises the specter of nuclear weapons.
By Julie Hollar, FAIR
Ukraine has for months been asking the Biden administration for permission to use long-range US, British and French weapons to strike deeper in Russian territory, which would be a clear escalation in the war. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the move would cross a red line for him, and recently announced that he was loosening Russia’s nuclear doctrine for using nuclear weapons.
Despite the risks of such escalation—and a lack of evidence that it would shift the war in Ukraine’s favor—Biden’s public reluctance to loosen his limits has been met in the war-hungry media primarily with derision.
The US, Britain and France have all supplied Ukraine with long-range missiles, including Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). But Biden has thus far limited their use to border areas. Britain and France are following Biden’s lead on range limitations.
Last month, in response to further advances by Russia into Ukraine, Ukraine launched a surprise invasion into Russian territory in Kursk. Since then, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed the US for more and longer-range missiles, Putin has increasingly raised the specter of nuclear retaliation.
Under its 2020 nuclear doctrine, Russia could respond with nuclear strikes to nuclear or conventional attacks it deemed a “threat to its existence,” if they came from a nuclear power. His new doctrine lowers the bar, so that a “critical attack” on Russia carried out with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” would be grounds for launching a nuclear response—including against the supporting power.
In other words, if Ukraine used long-range missiles supplied by a NATO power to launch an attack on Russia that it deemed “critical,” Putin could respond with a nuclear strike, against either Ukraine or against that NATO country.
Recent Posts
A Newly Free Julian Assange Speaks
October 4, 2024
Take Action Now After over half a decade of imprisonment and constant government harassment, Julian Assange is free and speaking out for freedom of…
How Mass Protest Created A Breakthrough On The Climate Crisis In The Netherlands
October 4, 2024
Take Action Now An innovative Extinction Rebellion campaign to end to fossil fuel subsidies in the Netherlands offers key lessons for the next wave…
Inside The State Department’s Weapons Pipeline To Israel
October 4, 2024
Take Action Now As one former official who served at the embassy put it, the unwritten policy was to “protect Israel from scrutiny” and facilitate…
Will Harris Lose The Election Over Gaza?
October 3, 2024
Take Action Now A deeper dive into the polls does indeed show that Harris’s inability to take a stand against Israeli violence can indeed lead…