Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

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Russia Protest Demands Nuclear Weapons Be Aimed at US Cities

Senior Fellow John Isaacs spoke with Newsweek about Putin’s warnings on nuclear weapons.

John Isaacs, senior fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, a nonpartisan nonprofit aiming to reduce nuclear threats, told Newsweek in a phone interview that Putin’s recent rhetoric and warnings are “threats trying to effect NATO and U.S. behavior.”

He added that in light of the agreement, “Putin, I believe, is doing everything he can to pretend that, ‘United States, if you don’t behave, you’re going to suffer the consequences.'” He said the threat is one of the few moves Putin has left.

“In the absence of some victory or taking over Ukraine, the best Putin can do is threaten,” Isaacs said. “The United States should treat it as a false flag, a threat that is not going to be carried through, that cannot be carried through for Russia and the United States’ sake.

“If Putin started using nuclear weapons, he would die, so would a lot of people in Russia, a lot of people in the United States or NATO would die—in other words, it’s suicidal for any country.”

Isaacs explained the gravity and utter obliteration of nuclear warfare, saying that “you have nuclear weapons, you are talking about ending most life on earth—extensive damage in your own country as well as other countries.” Read more