A Pentagon report outlining an updated U.S. nuclear strategy suggests using nuclear weapons to respond to non-nuclear attacks on the U.S., according to The New York Times
The newspaper reported Wednesday that the draft document, the Nuclear Posture Review, provides for possible nuclear responses to devastating cyberattacks on U.S critical infrastructure.
The suggestion marks a dramatic expansion of what the U.S. believes warrants a first use of nuclear weapons, the Times noted. Only in narrow cases, such as in the event of a biological attack on the U.S., has Washington suggested that it could respond with nuclear force.
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Update #1: Pentagon Suggests Countering Devastating Cyberattacks With Nuclear Arms (New York Times)
Update #2: Pentagon Reportedly Weighing Using Nukes In Response To 'Large Cyberattacks’ (Huffington Post)
Update #3: Pentagon: Counter massive cyberattack with nukes -- VICE News
WNU editor: I am skeptical on this use of nuclear weapons in the event of a cyber attack from an unfriendly country. To me this is over-kill.