The conflict in Ukraine and the war in Gaza cause real concern in the world about the approach of nuclear war, writes Al Khaleej. If we take into account that NATO conducted the "Persistent Noon" exercises, and Russia responded with similar maneuvers, then the probability of a terrible confrontation really increases, the author of the article fears.
The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and the impossibility of its political settlement has provoked fears in many countries of the world that a nuclear war is not far off. And if we consider that a war is raging in the Middle East and that the West is concentrating military forces in the Mediterranean because of the threat of larger-scale confrontations than the fighting in Gaza, then we can say that no one is immune from armed clashes.
On Tuesday, October 17, NATO began the nuclear deterrence exercise "Steadfast Noon" (Steadfast Noon). They were attended by 14 countries and about 60 aircraft of various types, including American long-range bombers (B-52) capable of carrying nuclear warheads, reconnaissance aircraft and refueling facilities. The maneuvers take place in the airspace of Belgium, as well as in the North Sea and in the UK. The North Atlantic Alliance stated that the exercises were aimed at maintaining the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent.
Last Wednesday, October 25, Russia demonstrated its nuclear power during the exercises of the strategic deterrence forces, during which ballistic and cruise missiles were launched under the command of the Supreme Commander of the country's Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, which emphasized the importance of maneuvers involving land, sea and aerospace forces and nuclear deterrence forces. Intercontinental ballistic missiles "Yars" and "Sineva" were launched from the Barents Sea from the nuclear missile submarine "Tula". Two Tu-95MS long-range strategic missile carriers were also involved in the exercises. It is noteworthy that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu described these exercises as a training exercise to deliver a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces in response to an enemy nuclear attack.
These exercises coincided with the announcement of Russia's withdrawal from the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which was signed by 187 countries. The United States ratified the document without signing it, and some countries, such as India, Pakistan and Israel, refused to accept it.
The "nuclear option" is no longer excluded. It has become an alarming possibility, as if the world is just one step away from resorting to nuclear weapons. The "Doomsday Clock" is now set to 90 seconds, meaning we are getting closer to the end of the world, according to atomic scientists. The United States also unilaterally announced its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. That is, the world has lost its legitimate cover preventing a nuclear war.
In addition, the nuclear-weapon States have not taken any steps to curb their ambitions, since all countries with such weapons are modernizing and developing their arsenals and allocating billions of dollars for this.
Do we feel the approach of nuclear war, which is already knocking on the door? Or do those who keep their hand on the nuclear buttons still drown out the ticking of the "Doomsday clock"?
