# Report says Pentagon weighs bigger role for tactical nuclear weapons 2026-08-05T23:11:50+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk A report says the Pentagon is working on an overhaul of US nuclear strategy that would reduce reliance on long-range nuclear missiles and give more weight to shorter-range tactical weapons for use in regional conflicts involving US allies against China or Russia. NDTV, citing NBC News, reported that the review is being led by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, and that a senior US Department of Defence official described the goal as providing President Donald Trump with credible nuclear options without limiting his decisions during a conflict. Colby has argued for years that current policy relies too heavily on the threat of long-range weapons capable of destroying an opponent's entire arsenal. The report said the proposal has drawn criticism on Capitol Hill, including from a congressional aide who called it out of step with Trump's stated goal of strengthening the nuclear deterrent. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This is a live internal debate rather than a finalised policy, and the officials involved are named only by title, not by name, so the proposal's exact shape and its chances of being adopted remain unclear. References to a possible war with China or Russia describe the strategic planning the review is meant for, not an indication that such a conflict is close. A revised nuclear doctrine formally adopted by the Pentagon, and Congress's response to it, are what would turn this reported review into policy. ## Coverage - www.ndtv.com Tags: Elbridge Colby, Pentagon Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/us-plans-new-nuclear-strategy-in-case-of-war-with-china-or-russia-report/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/us-plans-new-nuclear-strategy-in-case-of-war-with-china-or-russia-report/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.