Ex-intel officer: US should work with Russia to avoid trillions in nuclear costs

Former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter has urged the United States to reassess its nuclear strategy, advocating for a shift away from the pursuit of nuclear superiority and toward a more cooperative approach with Russia.

Speaking in an interview with the YouTube channel Dialogue Works, Ritter suggested that the US should work with Russia to revive arms control agreements and make significant changes to its nuclear doctrine, per Caliber.Az.

"The era of American nuclear dominance is over," Ritter remarked. "We need fundamental changes in our nuclear strategy. Abandoning the concept of nuclear superiority could save the US trillions of dollars by reducing its nuclear arsenal." He warned that continuing to pursue nuclear dominance not only entails enormous financial costs but also poses a grave threat to the nation’s survival.

Ritter's remarks come as the US Department of Defense reviews its nuclear posture in response to increasing nuclear capabilities in China and Russia. Richard K. Johnson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Nuclear Policy, acknowledged that the US faces growing challenges from multiple nuclear rivals. He noted that the modernization of their arsenals and the emphasis on nuclear weapons in their national security strategies necessitate a reevaluation of US nuclear deterrence strategies.

Johnson also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding future arms control agreements, particularly with the expiration of key international pacts. The US is considering revisions to its 2022 Nuclear Posture Review to better align with the evolving nuclear landscape.

As part of its strategy, the Department of Defense is enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities. This includes modernizing the B61-13 gravity bomb and improving the readiness of Ohio-class nuclear submarines. Additionally, in November, the Department submitted an updated report to Congress — known as the 491 Report — highlighting necessary adjustments to address the growing nuclear threats from adversaries.

Meanwhile, Russia updated its nuclear doctrine, broadening the conditions under which it would consider using nuclear weapons.

Approved by President Vladimir Putin on November 19, the new doctrine states that an attack from a non-nuclear country, if supported by a nuclear power, would be treated as an attack on Russia itself. Moreover, a large-scale conventional attack on Russia, such as one involving missiles, drones, or aircraft, could trigger a nuclear response. The updated doctrine also includes greater protection for Belarus and additional military threats that could prompt a nuclear reaction from Moscow.

By Tamilla Hasanova