In March 2018, just over two weeks before national elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a stunning speech in which he announced the development of numerous new and exotic nuclear weapon systems. Arguably, the most remarkable system mentioned was a nuclear-powered cruise missile with global reach. According to Putin, this new missile features “almost an unlimited range, unpredictable trajectory…and is invincible against all existing and prospective missile defense and counter-air defense systems.”Nuclear analysts were quick to point out the weapon’s illogic: Why invest in an unproven, high-risk system when much more basic counter-measures will do?

Read the full article here