These so-called tactical nuclear weapons have a limited explosive strength – though still are staggeringly powerful compared to conventional weapons. “If you really wanted to use weapons in a limited low-yield scenario, they are there. To compensate, it has an “escalate to de-escalate” strategy in which it would deploy lower-yield bombs as part of a limited first use of nuclear weapons. The Pentagon’s nuclear policy draft, which euphemistically calls low-yield bombs “supplements”, states that increasing such weapons would help deter Russia and other nations. Barry Blechman, co-founder of the Stimson Centre, a nonpartisan anti-nuclear proliferation think tank in Washington, said he was worried some of the language in the draft nuclear policy would make it harder to renew that treaty.

Source: Pakistan Today January 25, 2018 07:07 UTC