In March 2024, US President Joe Biden signed a new secret nuclear strategy, which for the first time focuses on China’s rapid build-up of its nuclear arsenal. About this reported edition of The New York Times.
According to the new strategy, the United States is preparing for possible coordinated nuclear conflicts with Russia, China and North Korea. This is the first time in history that the United States considers several potential nuclear adversaries as real threats at the same time.
The document is so classified that only a few hard copies exist, accessible only to a limited circle of senior national security officials and the Pentagon command.
While the White House has not officially announced approval of the strategy, two senior administration officials have hinted at the change in recent speeches. In particular, former nuclear weapons strategist Vipin Narang, who previously worked at the Pentagon, noted that President Biden “recently issued updated guidance on the use of nuclear weapons, given the significant growth of China’s nuclear arsenal.”
The shift in focus to China reflects the country’s rapid build-up of nuclear forces under President Xi Jinping, who has abandoned his previous strategy of “minimum deterrence” and is seeking to match or exceed the arsenals of Washington and Moscow. The Chinese government is actively expanding its nuclear power, building new mines for missiles that have been detected in satellite images.
The growing nuclear threat from North Korea also influenced changes in American strategy. North Korea has doubled its nuclear arsenal, which now has more than 60 nuclear weapons, making it a serious challenge for the US, given possible coordination with Moscow and Beijing.
In addition, the strategy takes into account the growing military ties between Russia and China, which already conduct joint military exercises. US intelligence is also investigating possible Russian cooperation with North Korea and Iran in the field of missile programs in exchange for the supply of weapons for the war in Ukraine.
The document signed by Biden emphasizes that the next president, who takes office in January 2025, will face a much more complex and dangerous nuclear environment. This includes not only China’s growing nuclear capabilities, but also nuclear threats from Russia, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
