US-Russia chill stirs concerns about stumbling into conflict
- Analysts and military officers say the recent break down in communication between the nuclear superpowers could inadvertently lead to war
- Unlike during the cold war, when generations lived under threat of a nuclear Armageddon, the two militaries are barely on speaking terms
It has the makings of a new cold war, or worse. The deep chill in US-Russian relations is stirring concern in some quarters that Washington and Moscow are in danger of stumbling into an armed confrontation that, by mistake or miscalculation, could lead to nuclear war.
American and European analysts and current and former US military officers say the nuclear superpowers need to talk more. A foundational arms control agreement is being abandoned and the last major limitation on strategic nuclear weapons could go away in less than two years. Unlike during the cold war, when generations lived under threat of a nuclear Armageddon, the two militaries are barely on speaking terms.
“During the cold war, we understood each other’s signals. We talked,” said the top Nato commander in Europe, US Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, who is about to retire. “I’m concerned that we don’t know them as well today.”
Scaparrotti, in his role as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has met only twice with General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian general staff, but has spoken to him by phone a number of other times.
“I personally think communication is a very important part of deterrence,” Scaparrotti said, referring to the idea that adversaries who know each other’s capabilities and intentions are less likely to fall into conflict. “So, I think we should have more communication with Russia. It would ensure that we understand each other and why we are doing what we’re doing.” He added: “It doesn’t have to be a lot.”