US Defense Official Cites Concerns Over Tactical Nukes in Regional Wars, Stresses Need for Reasonable Options

Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, reportedly mentioned the growing interest in small tactical nuclear weapons during a recent closed-door speech, discussing the need for the United States to possess reasonable nuclear options.

This remark aligns with recent US media reports indicating that the Department of Defense is discussing a new nuclear strategy emphasizing low-yield tactical nuclear weapons.

The direction of the Donald Trump administration's nuclear strategy has drawn intense interest as an issue that could significantly impact security in Northeast Asia, including South Korea.

According to US defense media outlet Breaking Defense on the 7th local time, Colby spoke at the US Strategic Command Deterrence Symposium in Omaha, Nebraska, on the 5th. He broadly addressed growing interest in small tactical nuclear weapons and regional warfare issues, stating that the United States needs "reasonable nuclear options."

Colby noted that regional wars are more of a concern than a massive attack targeting the United States, raising the scenario of a conventional war in a region leading to the limited mobilization of nuclear weapons and escalation.

This is interpreted as expressing greater concern over the possibility that a war breaking out in a specific region could lead to the localized deployment of low-yield tactical nuclear weapons and trigger escalation, rather than a war involving high-yield strategic nuclear weapons.

Regarding US nuclear policy, Colby said that reviews regarding the authorities and responsibilities of the Strategic Commander and the Secretary of Defense are underway, adding that the results of the review will not be made public.

The US Strategic Command is responsible for operating US nuclear forces.

Breaking Defense reported that Colby repeatedly emphasized the term "options" without providing detailed explanations.

Although Colby's speech was private, Breaking Defense stated that it obtained an audio recording.

Immediately after Colby's speech, US Strategic Command Chief Richard Correll held a press briefing, stating that US nuclear policy has not changed and that the Pentagon is looking into ways to expand the options it presents to the president.

"I view this in a broader context than just our nuclear capabilities," Correll said, explaining that the issue encompasses advanced non-kinetic capabilities such as cyber warfare, conventional capabilities, and limited nuclear engagement up to high-intensity escalation.

He went on to emphasize that it is necessary to create ambiguity regarding what capabilities are present in each combatant command, "thereby raising the threshold for potential adversaries to consider using nuclear weapons in a theater. Most importantly, it's about deterrence."

Citing multiple senior officials, Breaking Defense reported that the Pentagon has initiated a review of the US nuclear posture focused on providing the White House with more choices, forecasting that "it could conclude that more tactical nuclear weapons are needed."

While US nuclear capabilities have primarily relied on high-yield strategic nuclear weapons, China and Russia are accelerating the development of flexible, low-yield tactical nuclear weapons.

When an adversary launches an attack with low-yield tactical nuclear weapons, the United States faces a dilemma between responding with strategic nuclear weapons that bring catastrophic results or having no appropriate response.

On the day of Colby's closed-door speech, NBC News reported that the Pentagon, under Colby's supervision, is discussing a new nuclear strategy emphasizing the operation of short-range tactical nuclear weapons.

Citing multiple sources, NBC reported that this is to cope with situations where China and Russia attack US allies in the region.

(Photo: Getty Images)
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