A recent report on the developing U.S. nuclear strategy says the Pentagon is considering greater emphasis on shorter-range tactical nuclear weapons. Critics warn, however, that increasing reliance on tactical nuclear arms could lower the threshold for nuclear use and contribute to an international arms race. The reported shift in American nuclear planning would place greater attention on shorter-range tactical nuclear weapons during regional conflicts with major adversaries such as China or Russia. The current U.S. discussion about increasing the role of tactical nuclear weapons therefore deserves attention. Watch changes in nuclear doctrine, especially any movement toward treating tactical nuclear weapons as usable battlefield weapons rather than weapons of absolute last resort.