Scowcroft: U.S. Should Closely Consider Nuclear Structure in Context of Recent Russian Actions

摘要

The U.S. should pay attention to its nuclear structure and nuclear relations with Russia, because “we do not want,rnabove all, a nuclear war to erupt,” during a period which has seen Russian President Vladimir Putin invoke thernthreat of nuclear weapons while invading eastern Ukraine, former national security advisor Brent Scowcroft toldrnthe Senate Armed Services Committee during a Jan. 21 hearing on “Global Challenges and U.S. National SecurityrnStrategy.” “People haven’t paid much attention to it, but he has publicly commented on the fact that [Russia has]rnthe nuclear weapons, that [Russia has] the capability and so forth,” Scowcroft said. “And he has then matched thatrnwith highly provocative air-over flights of Scandinavia, over parts of Western Europe, even all the way to Portugal.rnSo I am a little concerned—when I say a little, I’m underestimating my concern—in that there may be a dangerousrnstreak in his character that could push us to some, possibly, very dangerous confrontations.”