With the U.S. security guarantee weakening under Trump's administration and Russian aggression rising, France and the UK must reassess their nuclear deterrent strategies. Marion Messmer from Chatham House highlighted the challenge of creating a credible European deterrent without U.S. involvement due to perceptions of Russian power dynamics. Joint strategies between the UK and France could enhance credibility, yet differing doctrines regarding the use of their nuclear arsenals may need addressing to establish a unified stance against threats, particularly from Russia.
"One of the challenges in constituting a European nuclear deterrence capability is Russian perception. Russia sees the United States as the main driving force behind Europe, and will invariably take a European-only deterrence capability less seriously."
"One way around that is by demonstrating joint force, such as through a UK-French offer, even if it is numerically different from a US offer."
"French nuclear doctrine currently reserves French nuclear weapons for national use only. Presumably, a European role for French nuclear weapons would therefore require a change in nuclear doctrine."
"The UK's nuclear weapons are already part of NATO's nuclear deterrence capability, so it would depend on the UK's exact role in this joint venture whether any pol..."
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