Trapping Trump in Nuclear Escalation

It is not usual for an ousted US president to make political decisions of significant consequence. But with few observers considering Biden to be “mentally sharp,” clearly some players have the aim of creating relevant facts before the official inauguration of the new president, Donald Trump. They could have serious consequences not only for the US, but also for the Europeans.

According to a report in the New York Times, Washington has allowed Ukraine to use long-range US weapons against targets deep in Russian territory. The restrictions that previously applied have been lifted, three people familiar with the matter told the Reuters news agency. The government in Kiev plans to carry out the first such attack in the coming days, it is said. The NYT claims to have learned that the missiles will “initially” be used against Russian and “North Korean soldiers” in the Kursk Oblast.

According to insiders, the first attacks will probably be carried out with ATACMS missiles. These have a range of about 300 kilometers. The New York Times reported that the decision was justified by the deployment of “North Korean soldiers” on the Russian side.

The Biden administration’s change of course comes as a surprise and could set the course for a dramatic escalation in the Ukraine conflict. This is exactly what US insiders are apparently planning to do in order to forestall Donald Trump, who will not take office until January 20 and has announced that he wants to end the war quickly.

Hungarian PM calls emergency meeting

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called the National Security Council to an emergency meeting. The trigger is the latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

“The war has entered its most dangerous phase,” warned the Prime Minister. Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Army Chief Gábor Böröndi, Interior Minister Sándor Pintér, Economics Minister Márton Nagy, the Minister in charge of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office Antal Rogán and the Prime Minister’s Political Director Balázs Orbán took part in the Security Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning.

Russia changes its nuclear doctrine

The Ukrainians needed no prodding from Washington and are said to have already attacked an ammunition depot in the Bryansk area.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that the use of Western long-range missiles on Russian territory could have “devastating” consequences. It could drastically change the character of the conflict and bring it into a new escalation phase, into which NATO countries could be directly drawn into.

In response, Moscow wants to allow the use its (tactical) nuclear weapons arsenal in a conventional attack if national security is endangered.

The new Russian nuclear doctrine unequivocally threatens strikes against the states supporting Ukraine. Since Kiev could not use the ATACMS technology without the US and NATO, they are officially considered warring parties as far as Moscow is concerned.

Sweden prepares population for war

In Scandinavia, the authorities are already warning the population of war.

If the Swedish ambassador in the Netherlands had not confirmed it publicly , it would be hard to believe. On Monday, brochures were sent by post to all eight million Swedes, who are now supposed to prepare for an emergency. Of course, the news of a possible war is frightening people all over the world.

Imagine if the German government sent a similar brochure to every household. Television would broadcast specials 24 hours a day. So-called experts would discuss things non-stop and the population would be shocked. That is exactly what is happening in Sweden right now. The brochure may be aimed at preventing panic – but it will probably achieve exactly the opposite.

“If crises or war come” is the title of the 32-page brochure, which explains in clear terms what to do in the worst case scenario. Stock up on supplies, find shelter, prepare evacuations. The message is clear: war is no longer an abstract possibility, but a real threat.

The disturbing reality

This warning comes to a Sweden that has known peace for over 200 years. How should people who have not recently experienced war or chaos deal with such a message? Peace has been taken for granted in Sweden but is being called into question by this direct mail campaign.

The brochure speaks plainly. “We will never give up,” it says. At the same time, it describes scenarios that many people find difficult to process. From nuclear attacks to shelters to psychological defense against disinformation – the details may be meant to be practical, but they make the threat seem all the more real.

Instead of reassurances, there is growing uncertainty. How should one deal with the idea of a nuclear attack? Such instructions, however sober they may be intended, have a disturbing effect.