| Summary/Abstract |
This commentary asks why Russia has started again to invest in land-based intermediate-range missiles, which can be used both in conventional and nuclear roles. As resorting to the action-reaction scheme cannot explain Russian efforts, the nature of the specific Russian approach towards military issues requires consideration. Russia obviously seeks to achieve major strategic advantages in case of a regional war occurring in Europe by having available a capability for escalation dominance. Only Russia can initiate such a war, not the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO]. The Western Alliance should respond by improving the conventional defence capabilities with which it is going to protect particularly the Baltic States and Poland. Moreover, NATO will have to review its nuclear posture in Europe.
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