Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has cautioned against a military response to Russian actions, emphasizing the deterrent effect of U.S. nuclear submarines while criticizing what he views as a dangerously improvisational approach to foreign policy by former President Donald Trump. This assessment comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and evolving discussions regarding strategies to address potential threats from Russia.
Bolton, speaking in a recent media appearance, acknowledged the necessity of a political response to Russia but argued against military intervention. He specifically highlighted the role of ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, stating they are continuously on patrol and do not require repositioning to maintain a strong deterrent. “Those who transport ballistic missiles do not wait in a port. They perform long-term deterrent patrols. Some are already in position.They don’t need to go either, they are already in place,” he explained.
He stipulated that the use of nuclear weapons should be reserved for a direct, major attack against the United States, explicitly ruling out a preemptive strike. “It is really difficult that the president responds like that, no matter what they tweet,” Bolton remarked, referencing statements emanating from Russian officials, including those made by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.
Bolton’s comments represent a clear divergence from the foreign policy approach of Donald Trump, particularly regarding Russia. During Trump’s presidency, Bolton served as National Security Advisor from April 2018 to september 2019, frequently enough advocating for a more hawkish stance towards Moscow. Their relationship reportedly deteriorated over disagreements on issues such as the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and engagement wiht North Korea. Bolton has as become a vocal critic of Trump’s diplomatic strategies, characterizing them as unpredictable and lacking a coherent long-term vision.
The Ohio-class submarines, a key component of the U.S. nuclear triad, are capable of launching Trident II D5 ballistic missiles. Each submarine carries up to 24 missiles, each with multiple independently targetable warheads. the U.S. Navy maintains a fleet of 18 Ohio-class submarines, with 14 carrying ballistic missiles and four converted to carry cruise missiles. Their continuous, undetectable patrols are considered a cornerstone of U.S. nuclear deterrence.
