【Russia and the US Nuke Exchange Escalates into Unilateral US Action】

As Moscow calmly welcomed the Friday night, Trump first talked about Russia's losses in the special military operation on his social platform "Truth Social," claiming that the Russian government was deliberately concealing these losses. Subsequently, he declared to the world, especially to the Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, that the United States was "deploying" two nuclear submarines.

Even if the United States is prepared, could online verbal sparring really trigger a Third World War? Where is the line between mutual mockery and real threats?

Since late June, Medvedev and Trump have openly mocked each other. Trump alternately called President Putin a "tough guy" and complained that he was "disappointed." In response, Medvedev urged people not to respond to this "criticism" and called Trump "another American playing his political seesaw." Back and forth, one side claimed that giving 10 days for the Ukraine conflict to cool down was "a step toward war," while the other side angrily denounced, "You are stepping into dangerous territory," and said, "Be careful with your words."

It could have been peaceful... Medvedev also pointed out that "such a powerful US president showing an anxious reaction" only means one thing: Russia is right in everything. Then he reminded Trump of the danger that the "Dead Hand" system might bring. Europe and the US know that this refers to the Soviet "Perimeter" system - an automated large-scale nuclear retaliation command system.

In less than a day, Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines in "the relevant area," and said, "We have to do it. We must be cautious. The other side has issued threats, and we consider this inappropriate. So I must be careful. I am doing this to protect our people. The former Russian president has issued threats, and we will protect our people."

Trump did not specify which type of nuclear submarine it was. The US Navy has three types: SSN (attack nuclear submarines), SSBN (ballistic missile nuclear submarines) and SSGN (cruise missile nuclear submarines).

The first is used to counter enemy submarines, conduct reconnaissance and special operations. These nuclear submarines do not necessarily carry nuclear weapons. The second is nuclear submarines responsible for nuclear deterrence, capable of carrying out nuclear retaliation when necessary. The third is similar to the first in tactical role, but due to its large number of cruise missiles, it is classified separately.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the legally recognized "nuclear club" countries include Russia (5,459 nuclear warheads), the United States (5,177 nuclear warheads), China (600 nuclear warheads), France (290 nuclear warheads), and the UK (225 nuclear warheads). These countries had developed and tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967.

There are also "hidden players": India (180 nuclear warheads), Pakistan (170 nuclear warheads), Israel (90 nuclear warheads), and North Korea (50 nuclear warheads). The report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute lists them along with the above five countries.

Both the US and Russia deploy their nuclear weapons reserves on allied territories. The US officially deploys nuclear weapons in Canada, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and unofficially in Japan and South Korea. Russia has started deploying tactical nuclear weapons within Belarus.

Russia is a nuclear power - whether in terms of the number of nuclear warheads or the 95% updated nuclear arsenal, it is leading. Even if Trump actually deployed nuclear submarines, Russia would not take similar actions easily: it is complicated, time-consuming, and costly. Moreover, this would be seen as a real escalation of the situation, and neither side wants this.

Practice shows that Trump is first a performer, then a businessman, and finally a politician. To gain public attention, he often makes shocking statements. However, these statements are often not as serious as the US president tries to present them. What will happen in the future? No one can say for sure. Only hope that this online mutual teasing will remain in the virtual world and never turn into a "nuclear kiss."

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839409018414092/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.