WASHINGTON - The United States faces the possibility of simultaneous conflicts with multiple nuclear-armed adversaries due to increased military cooperation among North Korea, Russia, China, and Iran, General Anthony Cotton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, warned on Thursday. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Cotton emphasized the readiness of his command to respond to threats, highlighting the strategic complexity added by the missile developments in North Korea, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and their growing alliances with Russia and China.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the United States is not only confronting one but two nuclear peers in Russia and the People's Republic of China. The evolving military relations between these nations, particularly the transactional relationship between North Korea and Russia, have raised concerns in Washington. The U.S. has observed that North Korea has supplied Russia with ballistic missiles and military equipment for use in Ukraine, seeking in return military aid from Moscow, including advanced weaponry and ballistic missile production equipment.
General Cotton's remarks underscored the heightened scrutiny on North Korea's partnership with Russia, noting its potential impact on the regional and global security landscape. He also raised the possibility of North Korea conducting a nuclear test to demonstrate its military capabilities, citing recent declarations by North Korean leadership of the country's permanent nuclear status.
The general further highlighted North Korea's development of mobile nuclear capabilities that threaten the U.S. and its allies. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in U.S. Strategic Command's preparedness to defend against any threats.
Additionally, General Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, addressed concerns about North Korea's space and electromagnetic warfare capabilities, which could pose risks to U.S. space systems. He noted North Korea's attempts to launch military reconnaissance satellites in violation of U.N. resolutions and underscored the ongoing vigilance required to monitor Pyongyang's space ambitions.