Honestly with Bari Weiss Nuclear War Games with HR McMaster
Nov 16, 2022
H.R. McMaster, a three-star Lieutenant General and former National Security Advisor, delves into the critical implications of the Ukraine conflict. He discusses the serious risks of nuclear warfare and outlines U.S. military strategies to respond to potential attacks. McMaster emphasizes that U.S. investment in Ukraine is essential to deter Putin and prevent his aggression from escalating. He scrutinizes Putin's miscalculations and how they shape the broader geopolitical landscape, urging a strong and unified response to safeguard international stability.
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Putin's Nuclear Strategy
- Putin uses "escalate to de-escalate" tactics, threatening nuclear war to achieve goals.
- He leverages this threat to discourage Western support for Ukraine.
Tactical Nuke Realities
- Tactical nuclear weapons, while smaller than Hiroshima's, remain devastating, causing mass destruction and long-term contamination.
- Putin likely won't use them due to lack of military advantage and self-destructive potential.
US Nuclear Deterrence Strategy
- The US bolstered nuclear capabilities under Trump to deter Russia, focusing on demonstrating a capacity for proportional response.
- A response to nuclear use may not necessarily be nuclear, conventional means can inflict significant costs.