Understanding Trump's plan to avoid nuclear war and outfox the Russians

The Pentagon last week rolled out its Nuclear Posture Review, which lays out in broad terms America’s strategy of deterrence by maintaining a powerful arsenal of nuclear-armed submarines, bombers, and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The unclassified version of the document is intended to send a clear message to friend and foe alike that any nuclear or devastating conventional attack against the U.S., or allies who come under America’s nuclear umbrella, will be met with a response that will exceed any military or political advantage.