Tactical nuclear weapons are uniquely dangerous—let’s not forget that

The Council on Strategic Risks warns against the use of terms like "non-strategic" or "low yield" to describe tactical nuclear weapons, arguing that such language creates a false sense of control. The author contends that any use of nuclear weapons, regardless of yield, would represent a drastic shift in risk and could lead to "Armageddon." The document calls for nuclear-armed nations to publicly recommit to policies acknowledging these dangers, avoid a new tactical arms race, and include the elimination of these weapons as a specific agenda item in international talks, such as the UN Summit of the Future.

• The use of terms such as "non-strategic" or "low yield" to describe tactical nuclear weapons is misleading and dangerous because it suggests these weapons can be used with predictable or limited consequences, whereas any nuclear use would be a drastic shift in strategy and risk.
• There is no way to accurately predict how escalation would proceed once the nuclear threshold is crossed, and the use of a tactical nuclear weapon could potentially lead to "Armageddon."
• The document recommends that the United States, NATO, and China publicly reiterate their policies regarding the unique dangers of tactical nuclear weapons and that all nuclear-armed nations avoid a new arms race in this category, even without formal treaties.
• Tactical nuclear weapons should be established as a specific agenda item for upcoming international discussions, including the UN Summit of the Future and conferences related to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

APA

The Council on Strategic Risks (2024). Tactical nuclear weapons are uniquely dangerous—let’s not forget that. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2024/04/26/tactical-nuclear-weapons-are-uniquely-dangerous-lets-not-forget-that/

Chicago

The Council on Strategic Risks. Tactical nuclear weapons are uniquely dangerous—let’s not forget that. 2024. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2024/04/26/tactical-nuclear-weapons-are-uniquely-dangerous-lets-not-forget-that/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=The Council on Strategic Risks |title=Tactical nuclear weapons are uniquely dangerous—let’s not forget that |date=26 April 2024 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2024/04/26/tactical-nuclear-weapons-are-uniquely-dangerous-lets-not-forget-that/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{thecouncilonstrategicrisks2024tactical, author = {{The Council on Strategic Risks}}, title = {{Tactical nuclear weapons are uniquely dangerous—let’s not forget that}}, publisher = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2024/04/26/tactical-nuclear-weapons-are-uniquely-dangerous-lets-not-forget-that/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }