U.S.-Russia nuclear war: Is World War 3 happening? What we know so far
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
FAQs
Donald Trump-led United States of America and Vladimir Putin-headed Russia are two of the most high profile nuclear armed countries. Any possibility of clashes will be nothing short of catastrophic and a possible World War III . In a warning to Russia, President Donald Trump said Friday he's ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines 'based on the highly provocative statements' of the country's former president, Dmitry Medvedev, who has raised the prospect of war online. A member of the Russian Parliament Duma has said that there are enough Russian nuclear submarines in the high seas to tackle two American subs dispatched by US President Donald Trump to counter Russia.The number of Russian nuclear submarines in the world's oceans is significantly higher than the American ones, and the subs that US President Donald Trump ordered to be redirected to the appropriate regions have long been under their control. So no response from the Russian Federation to the American leader's statement about the submarines is required, a senior Russian lawmaker, Viktor Vodolatsky, was quoted as saying by TASS.Earlier on Friday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social post that he had ordered the redeployment of US submarines "to appropriate regions" allegedly over "extremely provocative statements" by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is also the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council.The United States has a total of 14 Ohio Class nuclear-powered submarines, each capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles that can deliver multiple thermonuclear warheads up to 4,600 miles. Between 8 and 10 Ohio Class submarines are deployed at any one time, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative arms control group.Russia currently operates 54 nuclear-powered submarines, including both strategic and attack types, out of an overall submarine force of about 79 vessels. 14 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)—Russia's sea‑based nuclear deterrent—comprise eight modern Borei‑class (Project 955/955A) and six older Delta III/IV boats. 13 nuclear-powered guided‑missile submarines (SSGNs), including six Oscar II‑class and seven Yasen‑class (Project 885/885M), serve as precision strike platforms with cruise- and hypersonic‑capable munitions. 16 nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs)—primarily upgraded Akula‑class and a few Sierra‑class boats used for anti‑submarine warfare and sea denial missions."Let the two US subs sail, they have been in the crosshairs for a long time now," the Russian lawmaker said. "A fundamental agreement that must be concluded between Russia and America so that the whole world calms down and stops talking about the beginning of World War III," he added.Trump posted on his social media site that, based on the 'highly provocative statements' from Medvedev, he had 'ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.' The president added, 'Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances.'Meanwhile, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, Fyodor Lukyanov, said that Trump's nuclear submarine statement should not be taken seriously for now."Trump, as we know, runs his own channel and reacts, so to speak, emotionally, humanly and spontaneously. I think that the armed forces, the naval forces of the United States read this with great surprise. If this exchange of opinions continues, and Trump continues to be drawn into it, then, one way or another, he will probably have to take some action. In my opinion, so far this is only at the level of words," Lukyanov told local private news channel RBC TV.Earlier, responding to a media question over US State Department Secretary Marco Rubio's recent interview with Fox News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia agrees with the US administration that a direct military confrontation between Moscow and Washington must not happen."While Europeans are hysterically pushing for Ukraine's integration into NATO and preparing for potential conflict with Russia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently reaffirmed a responsible stance, explicitly stating that a direct military confrontation between the United States and Russia must be avoided. We wholeheartedly concur with this position. Such shared understanding has been facilitated through constructive Russian-American dialogue," Lavrov said.It wasn't clear what impact Trump's order would have on U.S. nuclear subs, which are routinely on patrol in the world's hotspots, but it comes at a delicate moment in the Trump administration's relations with Moscow.Trump has said that special envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Russia to push Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in its war with Ukraine and has threatened new economic sanctions if progress is not made. He cut his 50-day deadline for action to 10 days, with that window set to expire next week.Any talk by a U.S. president about potential nuclear military capabilities raises concerns, the security experts said, noting that the United States has historically refrained from matching Russia's nuclear-saber rattling given the risks surrounding the world's most devastating weaponry."This is irresponsible and inadvisable," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group. "No leader or deputy leader should be threatening nuclear war, let alone in a juvenile manner on social media."Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists noted that U.S. nuclear submarines – part of the so-called nuclear triad with bombers and land-based missiles – were always positioned to launch nuclear-armed missiles at targets in Russia."The subs are always there all the time and don't need to be moved into position," he said. "He grants Medvedev a response to these crazy statements."A1. President of USA is Donald Trump.A2. President of Russia is Vladimir Putin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
5 minutes ago
- Mint
UN Lays Out Survival Plan as Trump Threatens to Slash Funding
Secretary General Antonio Guterres is slashing more than $700 million in spending and laying plans to overhaul the United Nations as its largest sponsor, the US, pulls back support. Guterres's plan calls for 20% cuts in expenditures and employment, which would bring its budget, now $3.7 billion, to the lowest since 2018. About 3,000 jobs would be cut. Officially, the reform program is pegged to the UN's 80th anniversary, not the new US administration. But the scale of the reductions reflects the threat to US support, which traditionally accounts for 22% of the organization's budget. President Donald Trump has suspended that funding and pulled out of several UN bodies already, with a broader review expected to lead to further cuts. 'We're not going to be part of organizations that pursue policies that hamper the United States,' Deputy State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told reporters Thursday. The planned cuts at the UN come as the Trump administration has eliminated tens of billions of dollars in foreign aid as part of its drive to focus on what it sees as US interests. Conflicts from the Mideast to Ukraine and Africa have added to the need for global assistance. After years of financial struggles, the UN under Guterres already was planning to make sweeping structural changes. He warned in January it was facing 'a full-blown liquidity crisis.' Overall, spending across the UN system is expected to fall to the lowest level in about a decade - down as much as $20 billion from its high in 2023. 'UN 80 is in large part a reaction from the Secretary General to the kind of challenges posed by the second Trump administration,' said Eugene Chen, senior fellow at New York University's Center on International Cooperation. Guterres is expected to release details of his overhaul plans in a budget in September. The plan calls for restructuring many of its programs. Guterres controls the UN's regular budget, which is only a fraction of the total expenditures of its affiliates. Facing funding shortages of their own, agencies like UNICEF and UNESCO are also planning major cutbacks. The Trump administration already has stopped funds from going into the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council and left UNESCO. Guterres' plan has also drawn criticism, both from Trump allies and inside the UN. 'There are some things that the UN does that arguably should be increased in terms of resources,' said Brett Schaefer, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. 'And then there are some things that the UN shouldn't be decreasing but eliminating altogether.' He cited the UN's nuclear watchdog and the World Food Program as contributing significantly to US interests and singled out the Food and Agriculture Organization and Human Rights Council as having mandates at odds with American policy. Meanwhile, UN staff in Geneva announced last week they passed a motion of no confidence in Guterres and the plan. 'Staff felt its slash and burn approach lacked focus, had no strategic purpose, and was making the UN more top-heavy and bloated,' Ian Richards, president of the UN Staff Union in Geneva, posted on LinkedIn about the UN 80 report. That vote has largely symbolic importance, according to NYU's Chen. Still, Guterres' efforts to get ahead of the inevitable cuts that reductions in US support will bring could help the UN adapt, he added. 'Maybe that's a silver lining,' Chen said. 'We'll all be primed for reform.' With assistance from Eric Martin. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No review of pacts, duty on US goods': MEA on speculation over India's response to Trump's tariff; 'disinformation being spread'
MEA FactCheck NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday debunked claims doing the rounds on social media that "India is considering suspending or reviewing certain bilateral agreements with the United States if hostile economic policies continue". Posting a snapshot from two X handles -- Middle Eastern Affairs and China in English, the foreign ministry said: "Disinformation being spread on X". — MEAFactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) This comes at a time when India-US trade relations hit a bump after US President Donald Trump declared a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, even as both nations continue to negotiate a trade deal. Trump also warned of additional penalties on India for buying Russian arms and oil and expressed displeasure over BRICS, of which India is a member, and called India a "dead economy". Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong appeal for reviving the spirit of Swadeshi, urging Indians to prioritise locally-made products and stand united in the face of growing global economic uncertainty. Speaking at a public meeting in his Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, PM Modi warned that the world economy is entering a phase of instability and unpredictability. Calling for a nationwide movement to support indigenous industry, the Prime Minister said the time had come for every Indian, across political lines, to rise above partisanship and back the local economy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trapani: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo "This is not just about Modi saying it, every Indian should say this, if we want India to become the third-largest economy, every political party and every leader, keeping aside their hesitations, must work in the nation's interest and awaken the spirit of Swadeshi among the people," he said.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No foreign students should be in the country right now,' says Steve Bannon: What it means for your H-1B visa and future in the US
As the United States re-enters a tumultuous debate on immigration and workforce priorities, a controversial remark from one of President Donald Trump's closest former advisers has reignited alarm among international students and skilled foreign workers alike. Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist and staunch advocate of Trump-era nationalism, made an incendiary call for what he described as a 'complete purge' of foreign students from the country. Speaking on a podcast, Bannon stated, 'I don't think you should have any foreign students in the country right now,' warning that the continued presence of international students is elbowing out opportunities for American youth. His remarks signal more than rhetoric—they potentially foreshadow the revival of a hardline immigration agenda under a possible second Trump administration. A call for an exit visa, not a green card Bannon's suggestion wasn't merely to restrict future inflow, but to ensure that international students currently studying in the US leave immediately after graduation. 'Instead of stapling a green card to their diploma,' he said, 'you staple an exit visa. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo Boom, you are out of here.' Such a stance, if echoed in policy, would upend the current post-study visa pipeline. At present, the F-1 student visa often serves as a bridge to Optional Practical Training (OPT), and later, H-1B sponsorship, a route that many foreign graduates from US universities depend on to begin their careers. Bannon's comments challenge this pathway head-on, positioning international students as an economic threat rather than an asset. What does it mean for H-1B visa holders? While Bannon's comments targeted students, the implications extend deep into the realm of skilled immigration, particularly the H-1B visa program. The United States approved nearly 400,000 H-1B visas in 2024, according to recent figures, with the majority being extensions for current visa holders working at tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Despite widespread layoffs across the tech sector, approximately 80,000 jobs cut this year, according to foreign workers continue to dominate the tech workforce. This dynamic has stoked resentment among some American workers and fueled narratives like Bannon's, which argue that the system favors outsiders at the expense of domestic job seekers. Compounding this, Vice President JD Vance recently warned tech firms that it is 'unacceptable' to lay off Americans while hiring foreigners, signaling bipartisan political scrutiny of the H-1B process. The politics of global talent and national allegiance Bannon's framing of global talent acquisition as a form of 'imperialism' invokes deeper ideological currents. 'Absorbing all the talent from across the world is not going to make the world better,' he said. 'That's how the British ran their empire.' The remark reflects a broader nativist sentiment: That the US, rather than acting as a global hub for merit and innovation, should focus inward, preserving opportunity for its own citizens. This worldview has gained ground in recent years, particularly as the political Right paints immigration not just as a demographic issue, but as an economic and cultural one. Labour market signals raise the stakes The release of the July jobs report according to US media reports, which showed a steep decline in employment growth, with just 73,000 jobs added and 258,000 cut from previous months' data, adds fuel to Bannon's argument. A sluggish labour market could create the perfect storm for populist calls to restrict foreign labor, even as economists argue that immigrants often fill critical skill gaps. While many tech firms defend their hiring practices as a necessity in a globalized, AI-driven economy, the optics of high foreign hiring amid domestic layoffs present a narrative that could be weaponized politically in the months ahead. A warning shot or a policy preview? Bannon may not currently hold a government post, but his remarks often serve as ideological test balloons for upcoming Republican agendas. With Trump increasingly surrounding himself with loyalists ahead of the 2026 election cycle, Bannon's statements cannot be dismissed as fringe commentary. If this vision materializes into policy, foreign students could face rapid changes, from visa restrictions and shortened work authorization periods to tightened scrutiny of university enrolments. In short, the traditional American dream for international students may be in jeopardy. What international students and H-1B hopefuls should do now Given the intensifying rhetoric, foreign students and workers are advised to stay informed and proactive: Monitor policy shifts : Immigration policy may change swiftly under a future administration. Keep abreast of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS updates. Strengthen employment documentation : Ensure all OPT, CPT, and H-1B filings are airtight and well-documented. Explore alternative pathways : Consider options in Canada, Europe, or Australia if uncertainty persists in the US visa policy. Engage with advocacy groups : Organizations such as NAFSA, and local student coalitions can offer legal updates and resources. The future of meritocracy or a turn toward nationalism? At its heart, the debate over international students and H-1B visas is a debate about what kind of nation the US wants to be: A bastion of global meritocracy or a closed system prioritizing national loyalty over global integration. Steve Bannon's words may seem extreme, but they reflect a sentiment that is gaining traction, and one that could soon translate into real-world consequences for the hundreds of thousands who cross oceans in search of opportunity. As the political winds shift, one thing is clear: For international students and skilled immigrants in America, the stakes have never been higher. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
