MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s chief military officer says the nation is facing an increased threat of being drawn into conflicts at its borders that may grow into an all-out nuclear war. Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff, pointed at NATO’s expansion eastward and said Thursday that the risks for Russia to be pulled into local conflicts have “risen sharply.” He added, according to Russian news agencies wires, that “under certain conditions local and regional conflicts may develop into a full-scale war involving nuclear weapons.” [end of AP dispatch]
To understand how Gen. Makarov can see things that way, check out one of the handouts for my Stanford seminar on “Nuclear Weapons, Risk and Hope.” While all of it is relevant, the section “Not One Inch Eastward” starting on page 6 is particularly applicable. If you’d like to “take” the seminar, all the handouts are on my courses page.
If you found this post of interest, consider signing my petition asking Congress to authorize a National Academies study of the risks posed by nuclear weapons, and encouraging your friends to do the same — emailing them a link to this page will do that. As detailed on that link, the petition has been signed by a retired four star admiral who directed the National Security Agency and a former president of Stanford University, so you know it makes good sense for our national security.
Thanks very much.
Defusing the Nuclear Threat 
Hello Nuclear,
I take your point, MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has examined the world’s most strong vacuum bomb, an explosive machine unleashing a harmful shockwave with the electrical power of a nuclear weapon, the military stated on Tuesday.
The bomb is the newest in a sequence of new Russian weapons and coverage moves unveiled as President Vladimir Putin tries to reassert Moscow’s position on the worldwide phase.
“Test results of the new airborne weapon have revealed that its effectiveness and strength is commensurate with a nuclear weapon,” Alexander Rukshin, Russian deputy armed forces chief of staff, instructed Russia’s ORT Number one Channel television.
“You will now see it in motion, the bomb which has no match up in the community is being tested at a navy web site,” the state-managed channel said. It showed a Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber dropping the bomb around a screening floor. A massive explosion adopted.
Pictures followed of what looked like a flattened multi-storied block of flats, surrounded by scorched soil and boulders.
Catch you again soon!
Scary stuff. Of course, war should be seen as scary in general. Thanks for your comment.
Martin Hellman