Nuclear security

Nuclear Poker: Why the US Can't Trick Russia Into Changing Its Nuclear Doctrine

On Tuesday, Senator Edward Markey and Representative Ted Lieu introduced legislation which would bar the president from conducting a nuclear first strike absent a Congressional declaration of war. Russian military analysts comment on the bill, and the prospects it has for changing Russian strategic doctrine.

In the press release for the bill, Senator Markey explained that "by maintaining the option of using nuclear weapons first in a conflict, US policy increases the risk of unintended nuclear escalation." According to the senator, "the President should not use nuclear weapons except in response to a nuclear attack." The proposed "legislation enshrines this simple principle into law."