Understand The Times, International

The Pentagon is drawing up contingency plans for a war with Russia. The move, the first since the collapse of the Soviet Union, reflects that Russia aggression is now considered a very real threat to the national security of the United States.

�Given the security environment, given the actions of Russia, it has become apparent that we need to make sure to update the plans that we have in response to any potential aggression against any NATO allies,� a senior defense official familiar with the updated plans told Foreign Policy.

The US military has been sending a regular contingent of arms to Europe as part of �Operation Atlantic Resolve�, designed to bolster defenses against Russia. Russia responded in kind with more troops along the border and Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has 40 new intercontinental nuclear missiles ready for launch. The US is considering deploying nuclear missiles into the eastern European region in response.

�As you look at published Russian doctrine, I do believe people are thinking about use of tactical nuclear weapons in a way that hadn�t been thought about for many years,� the senior official told FP.

The Pentagon source told FP that despite Russia�s aggression, many in the Obama administration want to work with Russia more as an ally than an adversary. �We would like to be partners with Russia. We think that is the preferred course � that it benefits us, it benefits Russia, and it benefits the rest of the world,� the senior defense official says. �But as the Department of Defense, we�re not paid to look at things through rose-colored glasses and hence must be prepared in case we�re wrong about Russia�s actions and plan for if Russia were to become a direct adversary. Again, I don�t predict that and I certainly don�t want it, but we need to be prepared in case that could happen.�

September 22 - Pentagon Drawing War Plans Against Russia