America prepares for a new nuclear-arms race
Its build-up could start as early as 2026
![A Russian nuclear submarine sails to take part in Pacific Fleet drills near Vladivostok, Russia.](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240817_USP001.jpg)
IN THE PENTAGON these days, those who plan for Doomsday have a new nightmare: no longer yesteryear’s dread of one big nuclear foe, but of several at the same time. What if, asks one official, Russia attacked a NATO country, drawing America in to defend Europe; then China seized on America’s distraction to invade Taiwan; and then North Korea decided to attack the south? Three wars; three sets of friends and allies; three unpredictable nuclear crises. Could America handle them all?
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This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “On the eve of escalation”
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