Friends,
We all have enough to worry about without conjuring up horrors that haven’t yet occurred. But there’s one horror that has become more likely, necessitating that we at least face the possibility: As Ukraine forces continue to score stunning victories against him, Vladimir Putin might use nuclear weapons.
In a fiery speech two weeks ago, Putin said America’s bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 had “created a precedent” for such use. Last Thursday, Joe Biden spoke frankly about the possibility of nuclear “Armageddon.” Yesterday, the leaders of the G7 warned Russia of “severe consequences” if it used chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.
Most analysts believe Putin is bluffing, playing mind-games with the West, and seeking to strengthen his position for negotiations, and that the use of even tactical nuclear weapons would be too dangerous and costly for him. But the mere possibility — the fact we’ve come this close — is bone chilling.
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