Q&A: Response to a Russian Nuclear Strike in Ukraine
Response to a Russian Nuclear Strike in Ukraine
Question
Hello Rabbi,
How do you think the West should respond if Putin uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine? My initial thought was that one must not respond too harshly, because that could lead to an all-out nuclear war (mutually assured destruction). In addition, do you think Putin will use nuclear weapons?
Best regards,
Answer
I’m obviously not a strategic expert, if such things even exist. But not responding is the stupidest option. That is the clearest path to a world war, because Putin will learn that he has an easy and certain winning weapon and will keep using it. Any nuclear action must be met with a harsh and unequivocal response.
As for prophecy, I’m even less successful at that than I am at strategy. Nobody’s perfect.
Discussion on Answer
But a harsh response will also bring a harsh counter-response, and that creates a spiral that will keep expanding, and in the end the West will definitely come out destroyed, whereas restraint could, with some chance, lead back to a normal course of life until Putin dies a natural death.
In my opinion, the chances are that a forceful response would stop the escalation immediately.
That is a vital lesson not only for Putin, but for anyone who might ever think of using nuclear weapons.
To Oren—have an enriched day,
There is no concern that Putin will use nuclear weapons. Our rabbi already taught us in column 507 that there is an enormous gap between threatening declarations and their practical implementation. At most, Putin will deploy a network of Torah nuclei that will enrich Ukraine with literacy.
With calming regards,
Yosef Zvi Bidani Levi-Trumpist
In Iran too there is absolutely no concern about the use of nuclear weapons. Khamenei, true to his name, a “cholent-maker,” simply wants to improve the cholent with grains of enriched uranium, whose taste is truly “explosive.”
Regards,
Dr. Chu Lent, Department of Nutrition, Sha’anan College
By the way, if you don’t respond, then the MAD policy you mentioned crumbles into dust. It is based on the fact that there must necessarily be a response, ideally an automatic one.
See Bnei Yossi’s who is next.com strategy. Search for it here on the site.