Nuclear Weapons

Analysis of potential nuclear silo construction in China continues whilst left-wing Democrats try to rally opposition to increased nuclear spending under Biden.

Nuclear Weapons – China
 
The Guardian also reports today on the seeming construction of nuclear weapon siloes in northwest China. It provides further detail on the construction, saying that the satellite images show underground bunkers, cable trenches, roads and a small military base. There is some suggestion that the constructed siloes are being used as part of a Cold War tactic called ‘a shell game’ whereby ground-based nuclear weapons are moved location frequently to make them harder to destroy. Research from SIPRI suggests that China has thirty more nuclear missiles than it did in 2020.
 
Meanwhile, in The Washington Post, which first broke this story, a comment piece by nuclear physicist James Acton argues that ‘worst-case assumptions have usually been wrong when it comes to China’s nuclear weapons program’. He points out that, even if the U.S. Department of Defense’s projections are accepted, it is extremely likely that China will have no more than 400 nuclear warheads by the end of this decade. Acton also emphasises that Chinese nuclear policy is largely reactive to that of the U.S.

Nuclear Weapons – USA
 
Investigative journalism website The Intercept reports on the intense politicking surrounding the U.S’s nuclear ‘modernisation’. If the Pentagon gets its way, $190 billion will be spent on upgrading nuclear missiles, warheads, bombers and submarines. A handful of Democrats in the House of Representatives have been opposing the plans but have struggled to get wider political traction thus far. In particular, they are opposed to the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) ballistic missile system and the Long-range Standoff cruise missile system, which they say represent extremely bad value for money. However, concerns about Chinese competition appear to be driving elements of the Biden administration into a more pro-nuclear weapons position.

Anti-war

Israeli forces have conducted air strikes against Gaza, while Israel announces a new autonomous missile and opposition forces call for an investigation into potential Turkish chemical weapon use.

Attacks on Gaza
 
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza, though there have been no casualties reported so far, the Guardian reports. Hamas has said several of its training facilities were hit. Incendiary balloons from Gaza caused four minor fires in southern Israel last week. The new far-right government headed by Naftali Bennett is reported to want to boost its credentials with the Israeli electorate by taking a hard line on Palestinian issues.  

Israeli Missile Technology
 
An Israeli arms company has announced a new precision-guided autonomous missile system capable of hitting marine and land targets. The Sea Breaker missile system has a range of around 300 kilometres, according to the Defense Post. Its makers, Rafael Systems, say it can evade electronic jamming systems and destroy a frigate-sized ship.  
 
Chemical Weapons – Kurdistan
 
The left-wing primarily Kurdish opposition party, the HDP, has called for a parliamentary investigation into reports that the Turkish army has used chemical weapons in the Iraqi section of Kurdistan, the Morning Star reports.The PKK says that cannisters containing an unknown gas were fired into its fighters’ tunnels on three occasions in April. Turkey is also accused of recruiting and deploying foreign fighters from Syria’s Idlib province in the area. Turkish Kemalist and Islamist parties have rejected the suggestion out of hand.  

With best wishes,

Michael Muir

Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament