The Pentagon is drafting a new nuclear strategy intended to give President Donald Trump additional options for deploying shorter-range tactical nuclear weapons in potential regional conflicts involving China or Russia. This classified effort is led by Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby and emphasizes tactical nuclear systems designed for military targets in regional conflicts, rather than relying mainly on long-range strategic forces, according to NBC News citing multiple sources.

The strategy is crafted for scenarios where China or Russia attacks a U.S. ally, requiring Washington to respond without immediately escalating to a large-scale strategic nuclear exchange. Supporters argue that expanding the President’s options with credible limited-response capabilities could strengthen deterrence by signaling to adversaries that the U.S. can respond proportionally without resorting to full-scale nuclear war.

This development comes as the United States faces two nuclear-armed adversaries with increasingly capable arsenals. It also follows the expiration of the New START treaty six months ago, which had limited U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals and included inspection protocols.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced it will conduct military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, marking the first publicly announced exercise of this kind by Moscow. A recent image from 2022 shows a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched during Russian military drills.

The Pentagon’s move reflects heightened global tensions and a reassessment of nuclear deterrence strategies amid evolving threats.

Sources