Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree broadening the scope of when Moscow can use nuclear weapons in a clear message to the West and Ukraine.
Trump thought he could step into office and immediately win the war by being Mega Based Chad and doing the most Epic war thing imaginable shy of a mushroom cloud. Obviously it didn't work, because there was nothing the Afghans had that could justify using the weapon. But it made headlines, which was important for the Trump news cycle.
Putin is looking at a second Trump term and a guy like Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, and likely thinking he doesn't want Trump to try the same trick twice. It may work, as Trump is typically savvy enough to know not to punch someone who can punch back.
Trump thought he could step into office and immediately win the war by being Mega Based Chad and doing the most Epic war thing imaginable shy of a mushroom cloud. Obviously it didn't work, because there was nothing the Afghans had that could justify using the weapon. But it made headlines, which was important for the Trump news cycle.
Putin is looking at a second Trump term and a guy like Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, and likely thinking he doesn't want Trump to try the same trick twice. It may work, as Trump is typically savvy enough to know not to punch someone who can punch back.