U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis: 'New Nuclear Missiles Are A Bargaining Chip Against Moscow

CNBC: Pentagon chief sees new nuclear missile as bargaining chip against Russians

* Defense Secretary James Mattis said the U.S. seeks to use a new nuclear-capable sea-launched cruise missile as a bargaining chip against Russia.
* "I don't think the Russians would be willing to give up something to gain nothing from us," Mattis told a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
* Mattis also was critical at the hearing about the lack of stable funding for national defense.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said Washington plans to develop a nuclear-capable sea-launched cruise missile as negotiating leverage against Moscow.

"I don't think the Russians would be willing to give up something to gain nothing from us," Mattis said in comments to the House Armed Services Committee during testimony to discuss the new U.S. defense and nuclear strategies.

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WNU Editor: President Reagan used this same strategy when confronting the Soviet Union on nuclear weapons. He promised a nuclear arms build-up if the Soviets did not come to the table to discuss arms control .... and in the end they did. I predict the same will happen this time around. The Russians cannot afford a nuclear arms buildup right now .... and I think they also see these two new U.S. nuclear weapons as a negotiating strategy for some type of an agreement. But (unfortunately) this is going to happen only a few years from now .... and probably only when the U.S. starts deploying these systems.

More News On U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis' Remarks On Nuclear Weapons

Mattis: Proposed nuke missile is a bargaining chip -- AP
Mattis: Plans for new U.S. nuclear weapon could be bargaining chip with Russia -- Washington Post
Mattis: Proposed U.S. Cruise Missile A Bargaining Chip With Russia -- RFE
Mattis: No such thing as a 'tactical' nuclear weapon, but new cruise missile needed -- Defense News
Jim Mattis: Low-yield nukes mean US won't have to choose between 'surrender' and 'suicide' -- Washington Examiner
Mattis defends plans for new nuclear capabilities -- The Hill
Mattis has flipped on nuclear weapons since the Pentagon decided to take on China and Russia -- Business Insider
Will the US trade its new sub-launched cruise missile for Russian arms treaty compliance? -- Aaron Mehta, Defense News
The new nuclear weapon the Pentagon doesn't really want, except as a bargaining chip -- Washington Examiner