Developing a Strategy to Deter Russian Nuclear ‘De-escalation’ Strikes

Introduced by:
Ian Brzezinski 
Senior Fellow,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security​
Atlantic Council
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy 
US Department of Defense

A Conversation with:
Matthew Kroenig 
Deputy Director for Strategy,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security​
Atlantic Council

Elisabeth Braw
Senior Associate Fellow
European Leadership Network

Walter B. Slocombe
Secretary of the Board
 Atlantic Council
Former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
US Department of Defense 

Moderated by:
Eli Lake
Columnist
Bloomberg View 

The 2018 US Nuclear Posture Review calls for building low-yield nuclear weapons to deter Russian nuclear “de-escalation” strikes. But critics argue that the NPR misrepresents Russian strategy or that low-yield weapons are not needed to deter Russia. 

As part of this conversation, Dr. Matthew Kroenig will present his latest report on the challenge of Russian nuclear de-escalatory strikes and recommendations for a clearer US and NATO nuclear deterrence strategy toward Russia.

The event will feature a panel discussion with Matthew Kroenig, Deputy Director for Strategy at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security; Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow at the European Leadership Network; and Walter B. Slocombe, Former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and Secretary of the Board at the Atlantic Council. The conversation will be moderated by Eli Lake of Bloomberg View.

This public discussion will focus on fundamental questions surrounding the Russian nuclear threat, and US and NATO strategies to grapple with this challenge.