Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons Strengthen US Deterrence

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): The nuclear deterrence gap is real and America needs low-yield nukes. Nuclear policy debates are best when they force hard questions about risk, deterrence, and military necessity, not when disagreement is recast as bad faith.

In 2018, as an outgrowth of rigorous policy review process, Trump administration’s “Nuclear Posture Review” identified need for supplemental low-yield nuclear capabilities to augment U.S. nuclear arsenal. This was presented as effort to raise nuclear threshold of adversaries who may believe they could employ nuclear weapons in limited ways to escalate their way out of failed or failing conventional conflict.

To address this, the 2018 “Nuclear Posture Review” called for introduction of two supplemental low-yield nuclear capabilities: a submarine-launched ballistic missile and a nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile. Eventually, U.S. fielded low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead, designated W76-2.

Though the Biden administration later canceled the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile, Congress in 2024 resurrected it, directing the Pentagon to pursue the capability. More recently, Defense officials responsible for nuclear deterrence policy and programs testified to the importance of such theater-range nuclear options, noting that the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile is just “one example.”

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Three-quarters of world have no confidence in President Trump, according to new Pew poll, with many countries also saying U.S. is an unreliable partner.

NATO allies promised Trump they’d secure the Arctic; they’ve got work to do.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Prediction market users are profiting from bets on war. Suspiciously timed bets, and uber-high win rates of wagers on military outcomes, are likely signs of insider trading.

Debate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles. During the House markup of next year’s mammoth defense policy bill, two proposed amendments failed to show concern for the future of women in uniform.

Army gave its chaplains 90 days to strip rank from their uniforms, following directive that seeks to shift religious leaders’ identities from their military grade to their faiths.

F-35 program chief says growth has outpaced sustainability for joint fighters. “We didn’t put enough parts and pieces on the shelf.”

US POWER OVERSEAS

Air Force testing out a Boeing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone in Pacific this week as part of large-scale exercise. But this CCA is not one the two the service has committed to buying.

Coast Guard Cutter seized 7,720 pounds of cocaine and 4,000 pounds of marijuana worth $63 million.

CHINA THREAT

Boom years are over for China. The “Workshop of the World” is facing an economic decline brought about by multiple factors, such as a collapsing housing market, depressed consumer spending (leading to deflation), and a cooling job market.

China’s LineShine dethrones U.S.’s El Capitan as the world’s fastest supercomputer. The first time since 2017.

IRAN WAR/DEAL

Iran should not be permitted to enrich uranium, even at low 3.67% level, enough for nuclear reactors to generate electricity, not nuclear explosions. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons does not grant unfettered right to enrich uranium, but even if it did, Iran’s egregious behavior should disqualify them.

Iran and Oman to discuss future joint administration of Strait of Hormuz, including maritime services and associated costs. U.S. has said it would not accept tolls or fees on the strategic waterway.

Reopening Strait of Hormuz could require years-long multinational mission. While planning for efforts to secure the Strait has intensified in recent weeks, U.S.-Iran strikes over the last few days have underscored the inherent dangers in reopening the waterway.

Iran and U.S. agree to halt attacks and renew talks. Move raises hopes of saving interim peace deal under pressure from days of tit-for-tat strikes.

Qatar says citizen killed from shrapnel due to ‘military operations’ in the area after vessel carrying him and another person went missing.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Sustained Ukrainian air strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and supply routes have sparked a fuel crisis in Russia and areas of Ukraine it occupies.

Ukraine used Flamingo missiles to attack military plant in Russia’s Volgograd and drones to strike an oil station in the Vladimir region close to Moscow, as Kyiv aims to bring Moscow to negotiating table to end war.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Romania received its first new warship in 30 years last week with a Turkish-built corvette to boost Black Sea security and relations with Turkey at same time.

Munich-based counter-drone systems startup Tytan Technologies to launch new factory in Germany making 3,000 interceptor drones per month amid increasing demand.

“Heat dome” developing over western and central Europe could engulf continent in long-lasting heatwave, triggering red alerts in France, Spain, Italy, and U.K. as June temperatures break historical record.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

South Korea to train half a million military personnel to become ‘drone warriors.’ All branches will be taught how to use technology that has become ‘game changer on the battlefield.’

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 rocked Venezuela, flattening buildings in Caracas and likely killing thousands.

Two U.S. warships, USS Fort Lauderdale and littoral combat ship USS Billings, have been dispatched to Venezuela following nation’s devastating earthquakes Wednesday.

Colombia cements Latin America’s rightward shift as Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election.

5 right-wing leaders elected in Latin America in less than a year.

Pakistan has said it carried out airstrikes and ground operations in eastern Afghanistan, killing 25 Taliban or ISIS terrorists, in response to recent deadly attacks, including the killing of paramilitary troops in Karachi.

US MILITARY

All five active-duty military services met or exceeded their fiscal 2025 recruiting goals, marking strongest recruiting performance in 15 years.

New agentic-AI tool will continuously scan intelligence feeds and operational networks to provide commanders with targeting options “within seconds.”

Army’s 101st Division soldiers use drones to drop grappling hooks, breach razor wire, expanding scope of what’s possible with warfighting drones and how to build them into warfighting.

Army launching Space Operations Branch, a dedicated career field for soldiers specializing in military space operations.

Air Force seeks next generation long-range air-to-air weapon with a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles.

Like a pit crew for an attack helicopter: Watch a Viper get rearmed with live munitions.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

READ NEXT: Justice Department Cracks Down On Blue State Secrecy