Pentagon Conducts Review of U.S. Nuclear Strategy

Elbridge Colby, U.S. Department of Defense Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, said the United States is currently reviewing its nuclear strategy, emphasizing that the goal is to maintain deterrence and stability.

During a Thursday press briefing, Colby explained that the review is "relatively limited" and focuses more on specific, potential scenarios for using nuclear weapons.

He added: "Clearly, the goal here, and I emphasize this, is to maintain deterrence and stability," according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

The American official noted that the U.S. military was previously organized to carry out "regime change operations," but is now shifting toward what he described as a "defensive, preventive role," focusing on protecting the regional security of U.S. allies.

Colby's remarks come after a report published last week by NBC News stating that he is working on developing a new nuclear strategy that could include the use of short-range tactical nuclear weapons in the event of a regional war with China or Russia.

The U.S. Department of Defense has not released additional details about the nature of the review or the expected timeline for completion.