Russia's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: Realistic or Uncertain?

The U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship is not a Cold War anachronism, as many assume, but a vital constituent of a robust international body politic. War between Russia and America is unlikely, but misunderstanding and misperception with respect to their military ends and means are not. U.S. nuclear modernization plans impact on Russian perceptions of their great-power status and vice versa. The U.S. and Russia are downsizing their numbers of operationally deployed strategic nuclear weapons to meet the Moscow Treaty (SORT) requirements. Even Moscow Treaty–compliant forces will be well in excess of what some experts regard as necessary for deterrence.