The U.S. has revised its nuclear defense strategy to counter simultaneous threats from Russia, China, and North Korea.
At a Glance
- President Biden approved the revised nuclear strategy in March 2024.
- The plan focuses on China’s rapid nuclear arsenal expansion.
- The strategy, dubbed “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” is highly classified.
- The U.S. prepares for potential coordinated nuclear actions from China, Russia, and North Korea.
President Biden’s Approval
President Biden approved a highly classified nuclear strategic plan in March 2024, marking a significant shift in the nation’s deterrent strategy. The newly minted plan aims to address the rising nuclear capabilities of China, Russia, and North Korea. Known as the “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” this document introduces measures to enhance national security against multifaceted nuclear threats.
Biden’s approval comes as senior administration officials revealed the change during speeches over the past few months. The decision is a response to intelligence indicating China’s nuclear stockpiles could rival the U.S. and Russia within the next decade. The Pentagon’s concern is rooted in Beijing’s rapid nuclear capability expansion, prompting an essential reorientation of America’s deterrence focus.
Focus on China’s Nuclear Expansion
The updated strategy places significant emphasis on China’s burgeoning nuclear arsenal. The growth of China’s nuclear capabilities has not gone unnoticed, with the Pentagon predicting that China might amass a nuclear stockpile comparable to that of the United States and Russia by the 2030s.
Back in March, Biden approved a highly classified plan for the US that would for the first time in a long time reorient America’s nuclear deterrent strategy. The focus was primarily in response to China’s rate of nuclear expansion.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed significant concern over this shift, accusing the U.S. of stoking the flames of nuclear threat. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, publicly described the U.S. as the “largest strategic nuclear threat.” Despite China’s assertive stance, there is skepticism about Beijing’s genuine nuclear intentions, given its potential stockpile growth.
Biden revamps US nuclear deterrence posture in face of China, Russia, North Korea aggression https://t.co/m8Mlf7cP7H
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 22, 2024
Preparing for Multiple Adversaries
To address the compounds of a triple-threat scenario, the revised strategy entails a multi-faceted approach. The document underscores the need for operational readiness to thwart nuclear actions from China, Russia, and North Korea either independently or in coordination.
”The president recently issued updated nuclear-weapons employment guidance to account for multiple nuclear-armed adversaries,” said Vipin Narang, an M.I.T. nuclear strategist.
The guidance calls for recalibrating America’s nuclear triad, which comprises land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers. Moreover, it stresses seamless coordination among these elements to prepare for overlapping nuclear crises.
Biden approves nuclear strategy refocusing on #China threat – report
White House says plan was approved earlier this year and was not a response to a single country or threat.
Joe Biden has approved a US nuclear strategy to prepare for possible coordinated nuclear… pic.twitter.com/boTBtt8CQK
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) August 21, 2024
Global Reactions and Future Implications
China’s reaction underscores the geopolitical tension magnified by Washington’s new nuclear strategy. Besides condemning the U.S. for instigating nuclear threats, China has halted talks on limiting nuclear weapons and urged the U.S. to decrease its arsenal.
“China is seriously concerned about the relevant report,” said Mao Ning. Mao also accused the U.S. of being the “creator of the world’s largest strategic risk of nuclear threat.”
The emerging Russia-China cooperation, coupled with North Korea’s aggressive posturing, directly influences this revised nuclear approach. North Korea’s unyielding stance and arms provision to Russia amid the Ukraine invasion have added further complexity to the overarching defense strategy.
As the U.S. edges closer to potential unclassified disclosures to Congress before President Biden’s term ends in January 2025, the classified nature of the Nuclear Employment Guidance will continue to spark debates and policy reevaluations amongst global nuclear powers.
