On August 1, President Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be repositioned near Russia in response to escalating rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. This repositioning may well escalate tensions even further. Let’s take a look.
How Did We Get Here?
The latest war of words concerns Trump’s attempt to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine. On the campaign trail, Trump boasted about ending the Ukrainian War on Day 1 of his Presidency. It is clear he underestimated his ability to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin. Multiple discussions between the two men have failed to result in Russia coming to the negotiating table in good faith to end the war. Trump has come away from these discussions thinking that progress was made, only to have Russia escalate attacks against Ukraine. Putin has said that their “discussions” have only touched on Ukraine.
Since the failure to bring Russia to the negotiating table, Trump has taken the following actions:
- He has continued to try to negotiate diplomatically with Russia. In a last-ditch effort to reignite negotiations, Trump sent his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow.
- Trump floated economic incentives through large-scale trade opportunities.
- Initially, Trump gave Russia a 50-day timeline to agree to a ceasefire. To force Russia to negotiate, Trump threatened sanctions and potential tariffs. As Russian attacks continued, Trump shortened the timeframe to 10-12days.
- The President announced additional military support focused on anti-drone and anti-missile systems.
Nuclear Submarines Repositioned After Escalating Rhetoric
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev rejected Trump’s shortened deadline for peace talks. He called it “a threat and a step towards war… not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.” Medvedev then referenced the Soviet-era “Dead Hand” nuclear command system:
“Let him remember his favorite movies about ‘The Walking Dead,’ as well as how dangerous the non-existent in nature ‘Dead Hand’ can be,” he said.”
The website Military.com describes the Soviets’ “Dead Hand” command system:
“You read that right. Like something out of one of the worst James Bond movies, the Soviet Union developed a world-ending mechanism that would launch all of its nuclear weapons without any command from an actual human.”
This system was developed during the Cold War. The fact that it is still in place today (if what Medvedev says is true), along with the recent explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), is a terrifying threat to the entire world. Trump’s repositioning of the two nuclear submarines further escalates the tensions between the two countries.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”
This threat is a serious threat to humanity. As we have seen, sabre-rattling and chest beating only intensify the rhetoric. Jesus’ words are sorely needed at this time. Jesus’ peace is not just about the absence of conflict; it is a call for us to live as peacemakers (Matthew 5:9):
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Jesus tells the people he heals and encounters to “Go in Peace.” In John 16:33 :
“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Jesus’ peace is the fruit of faith and healing. It restores dignity and spiritual wholeness. This most certainly is a time when we need Jesus’ peace.
What’s Next After the Nuclear Submarines?
I understand the concept of “peace through strength.” President Ronald Reagan achieved peace by rebuilding our military and showing the world we would not be intimidated. President Trump has done the same. The caveat in this situation is the terrifying potential for a nuclear war that isn’t initiated by any humans – only by circumstance. Movies like “War Games” and “Fail-Safe” were written off as worst-case scenarios. If what Medvedev has said is true, this is truly a worst-case scenario.
We need our leaders to lead in peace. I call on Pope Leo and President Trump to focus strictly on de-escalation and encourage world leaders to unify the message to Russia that the war in Ukraine must end, and Russia decommissions the Soviet-era “Dead Hand” nuclear command system. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) validates the decommissioning of the system. Hopefully, the decommissioning of this system would lead to further de-nuclearization efforts worldwide.
Please share your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
If you like this article, you might enjoy:
Unity in a Divided World: A Spiritual Guide
Spiritual Priorities: Insights from the Gospel
Persistence: Sunday Reflection
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In