US President Joe Biden recently approved a highly classified nuclear strategy aimed at deterring potential adversaries such as Russia, China, and North Korea. This marked the first time when the US nuclear doctrine has been focused on Beijing’s rapidly developing nuclear capabilities, according to the New York Times, citing unnamed officials from the Pentagon and the National Security Council.
The document, called “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” was adopted in March, marking a shift in focus towards China’s growing nuclear arsenal – an aspect that was not anticipated nor accounted for during nuclear planning decades ago. Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Vipin Narang stated that the Biden administration had issued updated nuclear weapons employment guidance to account for multiple nuclear-armed adversaries, emphasizing the significance of China’s expanding nuclear capabilities.
When asked about the New York Times report, White House spokesman Sean Savett clarified that the guidance issued earlier this year was not a response to any single entity or threat but rather aimed at maintaining a balanced and effective nuclear deterrent against multiple adversaries.
The Pentagon’s 2023 estimates indicate that China will double its stockpile of operational nuclear warheads to over 1,000 by 2030, with much of this increase expected to be deployed at higher readiness levels. The United States currently has 5,550 warheads, while Russia possesses 6,255 according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s estimates.
The revised nuclear strategy comes amid heightened tensions between the US and its NATO allies on one side, and China and Russia on the other, with both sides accusing each other of escalation over issues such as Ukraine and Taiwan. Additionally, Washington has been alarmed by the increase in ballistic missile tests conducted by North Korea.
Both Moscow and Beijing have accused the US of inciting conflicts around the world and attempting to impose its will on other nations. In May, during his visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the strategic partnership between Russia and China was not directed against anyone but rather aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region.
In summary, US President Joe Biden has recently approved a highly classified nuclear strategy aimed at deterring potential adversaries such as Russia, China, and North Korea. The new focus on China’s rapidly developing nuclear capabilities marks a shift from previous strategies and highlights the growing concern over Beijing’s increasing military presence.