"Xi's Nuclear Ambition: Fear Drives Acceleration"

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been driving a significant buildup of China's nuclear arsenal over the past decade, signaling that a robust nuclear force is necessary for China's status as a great power and to counter the perceived threat from the United States and its allies. This buildup reflects both anxiety and ambition, with China now exploring how to use its expanded nuclear capabilities not just for defense, but also as a potential tool for intimidation and coercion in international relations.