Russia’s Missile Launch: Escalation or Miscalculation?
Russia’s use of a MIRVed ballistic missile in Ukraine marks a dangerous escalation, representing the first-ever combat use of this technology. This departure from Cold War deterrence doctrine, where such missiles were designed to prevent nuclear war, now raises concerns about a “use them or lose them” scenario, incentivizing preemptive strikes. The high destructive capacity and vulnerability of MIRVs, even in conventional use, increases global instability. The proliferation of MIRV technology among various nations further exacerbates this risk, creating a more dangerous geopolitical environment.
John Q. Hosedrinker