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HomeGeopolitical CompassEurope, Russia, OceaniaRussia’s Exotic Nuclear Weapons and Implications for the United States and NATO

Russia’s Exotic Nuclear Weapons and Implications for the United States and NATO

Authors: Matthew Kroenig, Mark Massa, Christian Trotti 

Affiliation: Atlantic Council

Organization/Publisher: Atlantic Council

Date/Place: March 6, 2020/ U.S.

Type of Literature: Report

Number of Pages: 16

Link: https://atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/russias-exotic-nuclear-weapons-and-implications-for-the-united-states-and-nato/

Keywords: Russia, United States, Weapon Systems, Nuclear Deterrence, Security

Brief: 

In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his nation, making an announcement of five nuclear-capable, strategic weapon systems. This report is a reaction to that announcement as to why Russia needs such weapon systems. This left many Western strategic experts in confusion—as the US is already vulnerable to Russian nuclear weapons, how would this additional weapon system change the status quo? On the other hand, the President and his strategic experts believe that this could advance their national security.  This report begins with the premise that it is not easy to measure the implications of these systems on the US, and the intention behind them is not clear either. To explore these uncertainties, the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, organized a workshop to brainstorm and debate possible rationales and their implications for the United States. The workshop was attended by leading experts in emerging technology, Russia and nuclear affairs. The Report is divided into three parts. The first part describes Russia’s new nuclear systems. The second part discusses possible Russian motivations for pursuing weapon systems. The concluding part analyzes and considers the implications for the security of the United States and its allies and partners. Many experts have the opinion that there is a genuine paranoia about the vulnerability of Russia’s nuclear deterrent, so it has a desire to let foreign and domestic audiences know about Russia’s great power status. One of the many motivations could be to defeat US and allied theatre missile defences. 


By: Saima Rashid, CIGA Research Assistant

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