Deterring Russia is a specific focus outlined in the NPR. While many observers see adding low-yield weapons as an "escalate to de-escalate" type of approach, the Federation of American Scientists writes that Russia's nuclear posture is potentially more aggressive - something which can be described as "escalate to win."

From the Nuclear Posture Review:

Russia’s belief that limited nuclear first use, potentially including low-yield weapons, can provide such an advantage is based, in part, on Moscow’s perception that its greater number and variety of non-strategic nuclear systems provide a coercive advantage in crises and at lower levels of conflict. Recent Russian statements on this evolving nuclear weapons doctrine appear to lower the threshold for Moscow’s first-use of nuclear weapons.

Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army - Acquisition, Logistics& Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has a Masters degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

This first appeared in Warrior Maven here.