The Perilous State of Russia's Nuclear Weapons

The recent rebellion led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has highlighted the risks posed by an aggressive and unstable nuclear power like Russia. Even if Putin remains in power, the threat of nuclear escalation has prevented the West from intervening militarily to defend Ukraine and has forced NATO to carefully calibrate military support for Ukrainian fighters. Putin's provocative nuclear rhetoric has lately been echoed by other high-profile Russians, including calls for preemptive nuclear strikes. The use of lower-yield "tactical" nuclear weapons in Ukraine appears increasingly likely, making the world a far more dangerous place. The West must use every tool at its disposal to gauge the severity of Russia's "nuclear fever."