#Russian #President #VladimirPutin has criticized a #US report suggesting that #Washington should pr

#Russian #President #VladimirPutin has criticized a #US report suggesting that #Washington should prepare for #simultaneous #wars with #Russia and #China. #Putin stated that a war between #Russia and Western countries like the U.S. would be a different form of war than #Moscow's war in Ukraine. The report, released on Friday by the U.S. #Strategic #Posture Commission, suggested that the White House should increase spending on both conventional and #nuclear #forces to address the twin threats posed by Russia and China.

Moscow has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, while China has funneled resources into beefing up its nuclear arsenal, including its new Type 096 ballistic missile submarine. The risk of conflict with these two nuclear peers is increasing, according to the report. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have reached their #worst point in years over the war in #Ukraine. The U.S. and other Western countries supporting Ukraine's war effort have been careful to frame their #militaryaid and support packages for #Kyiv as assistance, not involvement in the war.

Ties between Washington and #Beijing have become more strained due to China's refusal to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and fears about China's plans for #Taiwan. The U.S. does not have formal ties with Taiwan, but claims a "robust unofficial relationship" with Taipei.

China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the #international order and the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do so. The risk of military conflict with either or both Russia and China has grown, and with it the risk of #nuclear use, possibly against the U.S. #homeland.