The claim of a Ukrainian “dirty bomb” has got America’s attention
Nuclear and other worries in Washington
When Joe Biden evoked “Armageddon” earlier this month, many thought the president overstated the danger of nuclear war with Russia. Yet nervousness about escalation is now more palpable in Washington. The latest cause is Russia’s charge that Ukraine is planning to set off a “dirty bomb”—a conventional device that spreads radioactive dust—and blame Russia. America, Britain and France dismiss the claim as “transparently false”. The matter is murky; and when it comes to nukes, the fog of war is troubling.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Dirty secrets”
United States October 29th 2022
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- The claim of a Ukrainian “dirty bomb” has got America’s attention
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From the October 29th 2022 edition
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