Moving Nuclear Subs Isn't Something You Announce on Social Media

Bloomberg

2 days ago

Over the last week, two political leaders have exchanged barbs underlining the powerful nuclear arsenals of their respective nations. It was not just a pointless demonstration of bravado — it also showed that careless words and vague military threats can move the world closer to a disastrous conflict.
The first to lash out was Dimitry Medvedev, a former president and prime minister of Russia, who now serves as deputy chair of President Vladimir Putin's security council. In a social media post on July 28, he said a US ultimatum for Moscow to come to the negotiating table over Ukraine was a 'threat and a step towards war.' Later, he alluded to Russia's 'dead hand' nuclear launch system, which automatically fires a nuclear strike if the nation is attacked with such weapons.