Colby says U.S. nuclear strategy aimed at deterring use of nuclear weapons

A senior Pentagon official stated on Thursday that the United States' new nuclear strategy, currently under review, is not intended to promote the potential use of theater-range nuclear weapons, but rather to deter other nations from using nuclear weapons altogether by establishing a clear threshold. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby emphasized during a virtual press briefing that the primary objective is to maintain deterrence and stability, rather than to escalate tensions.

Colby clarified that the review is not focused on increasing the emphasis on shorter-range tactical weapons or accelerating regime change operations. Instead, the primary goal is to ensure that the potential use of military force, including nuclear weapons, is rational and proportionate to the interests at stake for the United States of America.

The official noted that the U.S. military's size and structure were previously designed for regime change missions, but the current review is not aimed at shifting that focus. The review aims to make sure that the nuclear strategy, just like the conventional strategy, is suitable for the present strategic context.