The U.S. has developed a new technology for fusing its nuclear warheads. In brief, it enables the more accurate delivery of warheads over targets with the result that it has reduced the number of warheads required to neutralize hardened targets such a missile launch sites and control centres.
This has major consequences as it would appear that a "first strike" by the U.S. can be far more devastating ... and potentially, more "attractive" for those with the mentality of Dr. Strangelove.
It is also important to recognize that with the advance positioning of American nuclear submarines, delivery times have been reduced. This is aggravated by the fact that Russian technology for the detection of incoming missiles provides only a fifteen minute window from the point of detection to the time of impact. (The Americans have an advantage in that they have a satellite array which provides a thirty minute window.)
The following article provides a chilling portrait of this scenario. It does not mention the growing capacity of the U.S. with respect to missile interception.
http://thebulletin.org/how-us-nuclear-force-modernization-undermining-strategic-stability-burst-height-compensating-super10578
The bottom line is that decision-making time for responses to perceived threats on the part of Russian operatives has been compressed. The consequences of these decisions are probably more monumental than at any time in history.
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