Is Putin's nuclear saber rattling a sign of strength or weakness

[Antiwar]

When has the USA threatened to use it arsenal. The last time was the Cuban missile crisis that began when the Russian put nukes in Cuba.

The threat is inherent in having the second largest nuclear arsenal on Earth. Putin saying or implying that he'll use them makes little (if any) difference. 'Everybody knows' that the US has a huge nuclear arsenal and likes to 'project power.' The US is the biggest player in projecting power, which includes 'might makes right.' That domination mentality is a major problem.

 

[Simon W. Moon]

Putin first mentioned his nuclear weapons when saying other countries should not interfere in his attack on Ukraine. Now, when his troops are having a lot more trouble in taking the country than he and his people expected and even his oligarchs are beginning to turn on him after the sanctions, he has turned up the heat on the nuclear saber rattling by raising the threat level of his forces. So do you think that this is a sign of his strength which Trump keeps praising or his weakness caused by the whole world and many of his own people turning against him?

undoubtedly weakness

1
Other countries are already as we speak directly intervening in the conflict via pledges of arms, military and other support for Ukraine.
If Putin's threat is only triggered by a country sending their own military for direct conflict with Russian forces,
then it's a threat triggered by something which already seems unlikely.
That sort of a threat is about making the threat and making the noise.


2
A nuclear response provides no benefit to Putin's realpolitik constituency.
AfaIk, Russia is an amalgam of various moneyed interests who variously cooperate and compete as it suits them. Putin has been able to sit atop the heap by securing sufficient cooperation from these groups who are Putin's actual constituency.
[ AfaIk, the logic behind the various sanctions and threatened sanctions is to put pressure on some of those groups to create or exacerbate tensions inside and among these groups to make cooperation among them (more costly/less efficient). Iow, the net effect is an increase to the costs of doing business, a threat the bottom line of the relevant groups who enable Putin's position. ]



a nuclear response inevitably ends Putin's regime and his life

 

[Antiwar]

Are you anti-war or just pro putin and Russia? The US and the world did not start this war, Putin did and not from any aggression toward it from NATO. It is a war of aggression by Russia and especially Putin who wants to go back to the days of the USSR. And what choice do we have other than to use the sanctions rather than start a war with Russia or let Putin get away with conquering Ukraine as the start of his plans. You do not think if this works he will not go after the Balkan states next? What other choices do you see? Please tell us all we are waiting for your plan.

^ Too much nonsense included.