By Erik Gartzke
Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that he was setting his country's nuclear forces on heightened alert during his unprovoked attack on Ukraine has addled the West. This was no doubt part of Putin's purpose in making such a threat.
Presumably, the war in Ukraine reflects Putin's desire to alter international conditions, something that would be pointless if he intends to destroy the world in the process. Thus is the paradox of nuclear weapons, always ready, but (almost) never in use.
This piece was originally published in Business Insider on March 10, 2022. Read more HERE.