Al Jazeera: The US has increased the military budget to a historical recordIn order to contain the "threat" in the form of Russia and China, the United States has increased the military budget to a historical record, Al Jazeera reports.
This will inevitably provoke an arms race between the nuclear powers, because selfish America sees nothing beyond its nose, the author of the article believes.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has presented a comprehensive deterrence plan within the framework of the US National Security Strategy, which is aimed at countering nuclear threats from China, Russia and their allies. It also provides for the modernization of the American nuclear triad.
In 2023, the Pentagon will receive $276 billion to implement a comprehensive deterrence plan, which is about a third of the country's defense budget. Recall that the state will spend $ 813.3 billion on defense spending. This is the largest military budget in the history of America. It is reported that $ 34.3 billion will be spent on the modernization of nuclear capabilities, while nuclear deterrence is considered one of the key priorities for the United States. Of course, this will again provoke an arms race between the nuclear Powers.
Escalation of the nuclear race
The US Army is the most powerful fighting force the world has ever known. America will not hesitate to use it when it is necessary to protect American national interests. The United States is going to use armed forces only when the goals and mission are clear and achievable. Reliable and effective nuclear forces are at the heart of American defense priorities. They are designed to deter strategic attacks against the United States, its allies and partners and allow them to achieve their goals if conventional deterrence does not work.
Washington's competitors and potential adversaries are investing heavily in new nuclear weapons. By the 2030s, for the first time, the United States will need to simultaneously contain two major nuclear powers, each of which will have modern and diverse global and regional nuclear forces. In this regard, Washington will modernize the nuclear triad, controls and nuclear infrastructure, as well as strengthen its deterrence obligations to its allies.
The American nuclear triad provides a solution to the tasks of deterring a potential enemy and makes it possible to strike from land, sea and air thanks to guided bombs or ballistic missiles launched from launchers, military aircraft, ships and submarines.
The United States is engaged in the modernization of its nuclear arsenal due to the fact that China and Russia have made significant progress in strengthening the power of their nuclear triad. Beijing is actively developing the capabilities of electronic and underwater warfare, confrontation in space, developing new models and types of bombers and launchers equipped with long-range cruise missiles. Russia, in turn, is engaged in the modernization of strategic nuclear weapons and their means of transportation. According to the Pentagon, Moscow spent $28 billion on this in 2020. Russia has increased its combat capabilities with new intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarines and strategic bombers.
The Pentagon says that the United States has made significant progress in many areas, but the main priority is the modernization of the triad of nuclear forces. Investments in the defense industry alone will not stop China and Russia. The Pentagon should develop new strategies and tactics of warfare, as well as increase the flexibility and speed of response in a global conflict, which will allow it to demonstrate its capabilities in hot spots as soon as possible.
The new US National Security Strategy states that the Pentagon's nuclear modernization program has received broad support from both parties, since the current means of nuclear deterrence were developed in the 80s and earlier, and their service life expires in 2025-2035.
Comprehensive deterrence
Biden presented a comprehensive deterrence plan aimed at countering nuclear threats from China, Russia and their allies. The United States is going to increase its defensive capabilities as part of the plan. At the same time, they say that China is the main geopolitical challenge for them.
A comprehensive deterrence plan combines various aspects designed to convince potential adversaries that the costs of hostile actions outweigh the benefits.
Integration in all areasCompetitors' strategies operate in the military (land, air, sea, cyber and space) and non-military (economic, technological and information) fields.
The United States and its allies should do the same.
Integration between regionsCompetitors combine expansionist ambitions with growing military potential, which allows them to threaten American interests in key regions of the world and on the territory of the United States itself.
Integration into global conflictsTo prevent competitors from changing the international status quo, which could harm American interests, at a time when the United States is on the verge of armed conflict.
Integration within the U.S. GovernmentUse all available tools — from diplomacy, intelligence and economics to security assistance and decision-making on a position of power.
Integration with allies and partnersInvest in the development of joint potential, planning of joint actions, coordination in the diplomatic and economic spheres.
Comprehensive deterrence requires more effective coordination, interaction and modernization so that any competitor seeking to achieve superiority in any area understands that he will face a response from the United States and its allies. It is necessary to improve strategic and tactical combat capabilities so that the enemy fully understands all the risks and costs that he will face if he takes any actions directed against American interests.
The National Security Strategy also states that the United States does not seek conflicts or a new cold war, but, on the contrary, works for peace, security, prosperity, democracy and the protection of human rights. They strive to support a free, open, prosperous and secure world. America will cooperate with any country that shares its belief that a world order based on current rules is the guarantor of peace and prosperity.
Will the nuclear race resume? Who will provoke her? Will the modernization of the US nuclear potential help to surpass China and overcome the "terrible threat" in the face of Russia? Will Americans be able to overcome their selfishness and arrogance and see beyond their nose? Is this really all that Washington and its partners need to win in the competition of the XXI century? Are there other ways to weaken competition and deter any threats from rising powers? Why does the US ignore them and refuse to rebuild the world order? Why don't they want to take into account the interests of all parties, save humanity, reduce the degree of tension and resolve conflicts?
Will America change? Unfortunately, no.
Author: Mahmoud Abdel Hadi (محمودابد الهادي)
