Putin threatens the world with "Armageddon," says Biden
Washington: Doomsday could start with a football, the so-called "nuclear football" as the attached case carried wherever the US president goes is popularly known.
It is stuffed black bag doesn't look like much, the only clue to its importance is that it never leaves the hand of a uniformed military aide.
But inside are top secret codes and plans enabling a president to authorize nuclear strikes -- and pick from a sort of menu of targets -- anywhere in the world.
During a meeting at the White House, the president has his secure Situation Room, where he could order war and communicate with military leaders.
However, when President Joe Biden, for example, travelled to Puerto Rico, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Maryland within the space of a few days this November, he travelled, as he does everywhere, with his "football."
While slamming Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said he is threatening the world with "Armageddon" when he hints at using nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
The US riposte, if it happened, could be launched from the back of the Beast limousine. Or Air Force One. Or a secret bunker.
Or anywhere the "football" and the president were together.
The public has caught glimpses of the "football," officially known as the Presidential Emergency Satchel, ever since one was photographed being carried behind John F. Kennedy at his seaside family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, in 1963. Another accompanied Ronald Reagan right into Red Square during his summit with Mikhail Gorbachev in 1988.
More discreet -- and also bearing a deceptively innocuous nickname -- is the other important element in triggering nuclear war: the "biscuit."
If the "football" houses the menu of war plans, the "biscuit" contains the codes, known as Gold Codes, by which the president can identify himself and make the order.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.