Though neither side wants nuclear war, analysts warn Russia may yet consider using smaller, localised nuclear weapons to beat Ukraine into submission. The first test of a hydrogen bomb using nuclear fusion by the US during the Cold War in 1952. Credit:Getty ImagesAdvertisementWhat are nuclear weapons and who has them? Under the logic of “nuclear deterrence”, the fact the great powers hold nuclear weapons is said to make major wars less likely. But groups pushing for disarmament and not just non-proliferation of nukes warn that some countries, including China, are again increasing their nuclear arsenals, and the risk of a catastrophic nuclear war remains so long as nuclear weapons do. Nuclear arsenals have evolved to include less powerful or “low-yield” nukes too (sometimes called tactical or non-strategic nuclear weapons) – and experts say this carries its own risks.

Source: Libya Today April 03, 2022 09:31 UTC