Huge controversy has erupted in Germany over the country’s nuclear deterrence posture towards Russia after provocative words by the country’s Christian Democrat caretaker defense minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. She said NATO is “prepared” and ready to activate its nuclear arsenal against Russia if it attacks a member of the military alliance. It appears she was advocating for a “first use” policy when it comes to Russia, in order to dissuade any potential future aggression.
She said in an interview early this week: “We have to make it very clear to Russia that in the end – and that is also the deterrent doctrine – we are prepared to use such means so that it has a deterrent effect beforehand and no one gets the idea, for example, the areas over the Baltic States or in the Black Sea to attack NATO partners…”
“NATO defense ministers agreed a new master plan on Thursday to defend against any potential Russian attack on multiple fronts, reaffirming the alliance’s core goal of deterring Moscow despite a growing focus on China.” Read more…
