Decoding Russia’s Nuclear Threats over Ukraine
Hold Your Fire!25 Maalis 2022

Decoding Russia’s Nuclear Threats over Ukraine

Since Russian forces crossed en masse the Ukrainian border a month ago, the war has been overshadowed by Moscow’s nuclear menacing. Vladimir Putin has made thinly veiled threats of nuclear escalation as a way to deter other governments coming to Ukraine’s aid. He also announced he was placing Russian nuclear deterrence forces on “high alert”, though the meaning of that is not entirely clear. Recent proclamations by Russian officials that Ukraine might use biological and chemical weapons add to concerns that Russia is laying the ground for its own use of such weapons.


In this week’s episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood and Olga Oliker, Crisis Group’s Europe and Central Asia Program Director, discuss the significance of Russia’s nuclear threats and what they aim to achieve. They talk about Russia’s nuclear doctrine and widespread perceptions in Western capitals about its “escalate to de-escalate” policy. Olya also runs through Moscow’s failure to conquer Ukraine quickly in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance, backed by Western arms supplies, and what that might mean for the Kremlin’s calculations. They talk about the potential dangers of greater NATO involvement, scenarios that could lead to the use of nuclear weapons, what that would mean and ways of minimising risks of a catastrophic nuclear confrontation.


For more information, explore Crisis Group’s analysis on our Ukraine country page and make sure to read our recent statement, “Avoiding an Even Worse Catastrophe in Ukraine” and Olga’s recent piece for Foreign Affairs, “Putin’s Nuclear Bluff”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(224)

What Hope for the U.S.-Iran Talks in Islamabad?

What Hope for the U.S.-Iran Talks in Islamabad?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Ali Vaez, Yasmine Farouk, Mairav Zonszein, Michael Hanna and Stephen Pomper to discuss the announced ceasefire between Ira...

11 Huhti 1h 5min

After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire?

After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group’s Sudan expert Shewit Woldemichael and Horn of Africa director Alan Boswell to discuss where Sudan’s war stands as it approaches i...

7 Huhti 42min

From Bad to Disastrous: Will Trump Escalate in Iran?

From Bad to Disastrous: Will Trump Escalate in Iran?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Ali Vaez, Yasmine Farouk, Mairav Zonszein, Stephen Pomper and Michael Wahid Hanna to talk about where the U.S.-Israeli war...

28 Maalis 1h 4min

Is Cuba Next?

Is Cuba Next?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood speaks with Crisis Group’s Latin America director, Renata Segura and senior policy director, Ivan Briscoe, about what the Trump administration is try...

20 Maalis 44min

Escalation or off-Ramp in the Gulf? And What Hope for a Ceasefire in Lebanon?

Escalation or off-Ramp in the Gulf? And What Hope for a Ceasefire in Lebanon?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s Lebanon expert David Wood and former Crisis Group President Rob Malley. Richard first talks with David about the escalating confl...

14 Maalis 52min

Operation Epic Folly? Trump’s and Netanyahu’s War on Iran

Operation Epic Folly? Trump’s and Netanyahu’s War on Iran

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group experts Ali Vaez, Yasmine Farouk, Mairav Zonszein and Michael Wahid Hanna to talk about how the U.S.-Israel war with Iran is unfol...

7 Maalis 59min

Special Episode: Regime Change or Regional War? U.S. and Israel Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader

Special Episode: Regime Change or Regional War? U.S. and Israel Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader

In this special episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Crisis Group’s Iran director Ali Vaez and Gulf and Arabian Peninsula director Yasmin Farouk to discuss the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran,...

1 Maalis 43min

Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Start a Regional War?

Will Ethiopia and Eritrea Start a Regional War?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group Africa director Murithi Mutiga about rising Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions and the growing risk of another war in the Horn of Africa. Th...

28 Helmi 44min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
rss-podme-livebox
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-pinnalla
aihe
otetaan-yhdet
the-ulkopolitist
rss-asiastudio
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rss-vain-talouselamaa