War of words risks going nuclear

WHEN the Commander-In-Chief of the world's largest military casually posts about repositioning nuclear submarines closer to Russia, it should send a chill down the spine of every rational human being.

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

But last week, after Donald Trump took to his Truth Social media platform to announce he had ordered two of his fleet within striking distance of Moscow, his usual bluster took on a sinister twist.

His post was not a formal address. Not a Pentagon press release. Just more boastful words blasted out to his followers, as if he were announcing a new golf course. It wasn't even remotely presidential. It was a reckless display of bravado.

The timing of Trump's statement made matters worse. It came on the heels of a fiery post by Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president and current deputy chairman of its Security Council, who warned that a US ultimatum over Ukraine was a “step towards war”.