Talk inside the Trump administration about using so-called tactical nuclear weapons marks a dangerous escalation, and the stated reason — preparing for Russia and China — does not hold up.

• Officials are floating the use of smaller nuclear weapons, with the cover story that it is about deterring Russia and China.
• The real target is more likely Iran or another enemy of Israel, since neither Russia nor China is threatening a nuclear strike.
• The push follows pro-Israel voices in US media openly raising nuclear use, including on a show Trump has told people to watch.
• The US and Israel are burning through their best offensive and defensive missiles, so wider wars — against Iran, or even NATO member Turkey — are not possible with regular weapons.
• Tucker Carlson has come out against it too, calling anyone who considers using nuclear weapons a genocidal maniac.

Outlook: Expect the "tactical nuke" framing to keep spreading in Washington as missile stockpiles run down, making public pushback the main thing standing in the way.