Nuclear Weapons No Longer Deter Attacks, Foreign Affairs Argues

How Nuclear Weapons Are Losing Their Protective Power

According to ХВИЛЯ: A new piece in Foreign Affairs by Rose Gottemoeller, a former deputy secretary general of NATO, challenges the long-held belief that possessing nuclear arms ensures a nation's safety. Drawing on recent military conflicts, she points to events like Ukraine's Operation Pavutina, Iran's strikes on Israel, and the India-Pakistan confrontation as evidence that the nuclear umbrella is no longer reliable.

Real-World Cases That Undermine Nuclear Deterrence

In June 2025, Ukrainian operators carried out Operation Pavutina by concealing attack drones in trucks near Russian airbases as far east as the Amur region. The drones were launched via Russia's own mobile network, destroying at least 10 strategic bombers and damaging 41 aircraft in total-some of which were part of the nuclear command system. In retaliation, Russia launched a conventional strike on Kyiv using 400 drones and 40 missiles.

Iran escalated tensions in March 2025 by targeting Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor, further highlighting regional instability. Then in May 2025, India and Pakistan clashed in another conflict, reinforcing the point that nuclear arsenals do not guarantee peace.

Gottemoeller highlights how a single drone costing just $500 destroyed a strategic bomber worth tens of millions, underscoring a major shift in the balance of power on today's battlefields. Rose Gottemoeller

These events make it clear that traditional ideas about nuclear security must be reconsidered in light of emerging threats and new technologies.

The evolving nature of warfare-especially the rise of unmanned aerial vehicles-suggests that security strategies built around nuclear weapons are becoming less effective. As technological innovations reshape the battlefield, there is an urgent need to adapt defense policies. In an era of persistent threats, the role of nuclear arms in international relations and national security demands a fundamental rethinking.

As nations grapple with the shifting dynamics of military power, the recent warning from Germany regarding Russia's potential plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space further complicates the landscape of global security. This development underscores the growing need to reassess traditional deterrence strategies. For more insights into how these evolving threats impact international relations, read about Germany's concerns over Russia's nuclear ambitions.