Another week of fixation on a tactical nuke in the Ukraine war
I don't get it, that seems like a really dumb strategic option for Putin. He'd automatically lose the support of China and India, along with any hope of swaying the new Italian government that is closer to him than ever. He would even risk a backlash within the Russian population, which he hasn't even dared to anger with a full mobilization or official war declaration yet.
All this because of sightings of a train and a nuclear-capable submarine. There's clearly the risk of escalation, but why is all the talk around a tactical nuke on a civilian city, as if that's the only danger? The Ukraine war does not yet involve significant air forces, naval or even long range missiles, why would Putin pick a nuclear option when there's so many more options with the same outcomes and without the drawbacks? A few targeted strikes on power, water and telecommunications infrastructure would be just as crippling as a nuke, seems far more likely to me.
All this because of sightings of a train and a nuclear-capable submarine. There's clearly the risk of escalation, but why is all the talk around a tactical nuke on a civilian city, as if that's the only danger? The Ukraine war does not yet involve significant air forces, naval or even long range missiles, why would Putin pick a nuclear option when there's so many more options with the same outcomes and without the drawbacks? A few targeted strikes on power, water and telecommunications infrastructure would be just as crippling as a nuke, seems far more likely to me.
41-45, M
