Strategic imperatives, status aspirations, or domestic interests? Explaining Russia’s nuclear weapons policy

Abstract

What are the causes of Russia’s increasingly assertive nuclear weapons policy? This article offers a synthetic explanation combining strategic imperatives, status aspirations, and domestic political factors. In brief, it is argued that strategic imperatives go a long way toward explaining Russia’s nuclear force modernization. Russia seeks to upgrade its aging nuclear arsenal to maintain an assured second-strike capability. Status aspirations, in turn, can account for many nuclear exercises and maneuvers conducted by Russia. The aim is to promote Russia’s image as a great power in world politics. Finally, regime security considerations are the primary driver of Moscow’s abrasive nuclear rhetoric, which often caters to a domestic audience. The article unpacks these arguments, demonstrates their explanatory purchase, and discusses policy implications.