Biden preparing 'options' for Trump to bolster US nuclear capabilities – WSJ
The Biden administration has allegedly developed “ready options” for Trump to strengthen nuclear capabilities in the event that arms-control negotiations do not succeed. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The president-elect is expected to gain an advantage in deterring rival powers if they opt to increase the number of nuclear warheads.
The United States is reportedly formulating plans to potentially enhance its nuclear capabilities to counteract threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, particularly if arms-control negotiations do not succeed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The report indicates that President Joe Biden signed a classified directive on nuclear weapons earlier this year, instructing the Pentagon to “develop options to simultaneously deter aggression” from other nuclear nations.
Officials from the Biden administration informed the WSJ that this strategy emphasizes the development of advanced non-nuclear systems and strengthening alliances with partners in Asia and Europe. Nonetheless, the Pentagon “is also preparing options to deploy more nuclear warheads should those efforts prove insufficient,” particularly if arms-control diplomacy fails or if there are delays in deploying new US nuclear systems.
A senior source quoted by the WSJ cautioned that, “if current trends continue in the negative direction with Russia saying ‘no’ to arms control, China building up and North Korea building up, there may be a need to increase the number of deployed US nuclear weapons in the future.”
However, the decision regarding whether the US needs to enhance its nuclear posture will depend on the approach taken by Trump, who is set to take office in January. The incoming Republican president will inherit various “ready options,” including the addition of warheads to Minuteman III ICBM missiles, the deployment of additional submarine-based nuclear weapons, or the revival of the development of a submarine designed to carry nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
Vipin Narang, a former senior defense official, remarked that Trump’s team “will be inheriting some rigorous homework and options,” suggesting they can “pick up the ball and continue to run with it.”
The US and Russia hold the largest nuclear arsenals worldwide, accounting for over 90% of all nuclear weapons. Tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine, have led to a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, impacting arms-control discussions.
While Biden expressed in October the US's willingness to engage in nuclear talks with Russia without preconditions, Moscow has dismissed this statement as “deception” and a tactic to gather political support for the Democrats’ election campaign. Russian officials also emphasized that addressing such matters is unfeasible without considering the broader security context.
During his first term, Trump criticized the New START treaty, the last arms-control agreement between the US and Russia that limits their strategic nuclear arsenals, raising concerns about its lack of inclusion of China.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
The United States is reportedly formulating plans to potentially enhance its nuclear capabilities to counteract threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, particularly if arms-control negotiations do not succeed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The report indicates that President Joe Biden signed a classified directive on nuclear weapons earlier this year, instructing the Pentagon to “develop options to simultaneously deter aggression” from other nuclear nations.
Officials from the Biden administration informed the WSJ that this strategy emphasizes the development of advanced non-nuclear systems and strengthening alliances with partners in Asia and Europe. Nonetheless, the Pentagon “is also preparing options to deploy more nuclear warheads should those efforts prove insufficient,” particularly if arms-control diplomacy fails or if there are delays in deploying new US nuclear systems.
A senior source quoted by the WSJ cautioned that, “if current trends continue in the negative direction with Russia saying ‘no’ to arms control, China building up and North Korea building up, there may be a need to increase the number of deployed US nuclear weapons in the future.”
However, the decision regarding whether the US needs to enhance its nuclear posture will depend on the approach taken by Trump, who is set to take office in January. The incoming Republican president will inherit various “ready options,” including the addition of warheads to Minuteman III ICBM missiles, the deployment of additional submarine-based nuclear weapons, or the revival of the development of a submarine designed to carry nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
Vipin Narang, a former senior defense official, remarked that Trump’s team “will be inheriting some rigorous homework and options,” suggesting they can “pick up the ball and continue to run with it.”
The US and Russia hold the largest nuclear arsenals worldwide, accounting for over 90% of all nuclear weapons. Tensions, particularly regarding Ukraine, have led to a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, impacting arms-control discussions.
While Biden expressed in October the US's willingness to engage in nuclear talks with Russia without preconditions, Moscow has dismissed this statement as “deception” and a tactic to gather political support for the Democrats’ election campaign. Russian officials also emphasized that addressing such matters is unfeasible without considering the broader security context.
During his first term, Trump criticized the New START treaty, the last arms-control agreement between the US and Russia that limits their strategic nuclear arsenals, raising concerns about its lack of inclusion of China.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
