US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy warns of peer nuclear adversary risk
The US DoD allocated $34 billion in FY 2023 to modernise its nuclear triad. (Photo: USAF)
Although the US has been massively investing in defence capabilities in recent decades, China and Russia remain a headache for the DoD. The ambitions of these two countries and their nuclear capacities still pose risks to American interests worldwide.
Released on 27 October, the unclassified part of the US National Defense Strategy (NDS) 2022 considered China the ‘most comprehensive and serious challenge’ and Russia a ‘serious, continuing risk in key areas’.
During a webinar conducted on 4 November by US-based think tank Brookings Institution, Colin Kahl, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy warned of the risks of leading with those states.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Defence Notes
-
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
-
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
-
Ukraine leads the way on battlefield use of directed energy weapons
Increased drone use in Ukraine and in Middle Eastern conflicts has created a strong impetus to develop laser and radio-frequency firepower as exploration of direct-energy technology intensifies.