Why the Pentagon Is Equipping the F-35 With a Thermonuclear Bomb

[soryang]

4. Erosion of the nuclear "firebreak" between conventional and nuclear conflict

The US that has created a pnumbral zone where the boundary between conventional and nuclear strikes is blurred. The
B61-12 is the latest development in the erosion of the so called firebreak. The projected use of the B61-12 as the "bunker buster" in preemptive nuclear attack plans against North Korea as part of so called "decapitation" operations has been discussed openly in the media.

Shin goes a step further in his evaluation suggesting that with the anticipated degradation of GPS guided standoff munitions, that B61-12 tactical nuclear bunker busters would be the weapon system of choice for such a mission. And that the exercise is part of a negotiating strategy of the US, as the projected second summit with Kim Jong Un is extended into next year, and the effect of the maximum pressure campaign of economic sanctions is continued. Sin postulates that the practice of bomb delivery in a degraded ecm environment implies a direct personal threat against Kim's life regardless of the 300m depth of his bunker.

Combat Raider 19-1 Exercise a signal to DPRK? 10.27.2018
https://civilizationdiscontents.blogspot.com/2018/10/us-bombers-practicing-nuclear.html


Contrary to the contentions in the OP about US superiority in conventional power, US reluctance to tolerate substantial losses of high value conventional forces makes it more likely rather than less to resort to the "mini" nuclear option.