Growing Reliance on Tactical Nuclear Weapons: A Case Study of US, Russia and Pakistan

Abstract

This paper argues that, due to their inherent strategic competition, Washington and Moscow rely on low-yield or Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) to overcome intrinsic geo-strategic uncertainties of international politics. It further explores the nuclear policy of the US and Russia while positing that both states are depending on the use of battlefield nuclear weapons for ensuring nuclear deterrence stability. It also maintains that Pakistan’s policy of full-spectrum deterrence and its declaration to use TNWs, when certain red lines will be crossed, is in line with the policy of above-mentioned states.