US considering implications of nuclear decline

saltwn · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

WASHINGTON – The mighty U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons, midwived by World War II and nurtured by the Cold War, is declining in power and purpose while the military's competence in handling the world's most dangerous arms has eroded. At the same time, international efforts to contain the spread of such weapons look ineffective.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, for one, wants the next president to think about what nuclear middle-age and decline means for national security.

Gates joins a growing debate about the reliability and future credibility of the American arsenal with his first extensive speech on nuclear arms Tuesday. The debate is attracting increasing attention inside the Pentagon even as the military is preoccupied with fighting insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan. The unconventional tools of war there include covert commandos, but not nuclear weapons.

Gates is expected to call for increased commitment to preserving the deterrent value of atomic weapons. Their chief function has evolved from first stopping the Nazis and Japanese, then the Soviets. Now the vast U.S. stockpile serves mainly to make any other nation think twice about developing or using even a crude nuclear device of its own.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081026/...uclear_decline

Oh really? I thought Russia did some testing recently. For my part, I think they should change all the worlds nuclear capability into domestic energy sources.

Spencer Collins · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 02:33 PM

The U.S. nuclear stockpile serves a deterrent and it has served us well. Sure..I would like to buy the world a coke and live in perfect harmony but now is not the time.We have miles to go before we can beat our Swords into Plowshares.

cnredd · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer Collins

The U.S. nuclear stockpile serves a deterrent and it has served us well. Sure..I would like to buy the world a coke and live in perfect harmony but now is not the time.We have miles to go before we can beat our Swords into Plowshares.

Too bad your candidate wants to throw it away and create "a world without nuclear weapons"...

I also like the part where he wants to stop "unproven missile defense systems" since they've been proved over and over again...He agrees with Russia & North Korea...

YouTube - Obama pledge on Iraq & on nuclear...

saltwn · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

Too bad your candidate wants to throw it away and create "a world without nuclear weapons"...

I also like the part where he wants to stop "unproven missile defense systems" since they've been proved over and over again...He agrees with Russia & North Korea...

YouTube - Obama pledge on Iraq & on nuclear weapons

I was discussing Colin Powell with someone yesterday, and we figure the President doesn't know somethings. (The old need to know basis from the movies)
I would bet 5 dollars right now we already have space weapons.

Spencer Collins · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

Too bad your candidate wants to throw it away and create "a world without nuclear weapons"...

I also like the part where he wants to stop "unproven missile defense systems" since they've been proved over and over again...He agrees with Russia & North Korea...

But I agree with those "goals" for I have the same "eventual" goals!
I doubt that he plans to achieve those goals during the first 100 days of his administration..these are goals that every sane individual should hold dear.I voted for R.R. not once but twice! Does that mean I agreed with all of his policies? Of coarse not...and I opposed the Star Wars program.I "still" oppose the unilateral weaponization of space.

Peace "my friends" is a process!...

faithful_servant · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

I was discussing Colin Powell with someone yesterday, and we figure the President doesn't know somethings. (The old need to know basis from the movies)
I would bet 5 dollars right now we already have space weapons.

Anyone who thinks that there aren't American, Russian and Chinese nukes in orbit is living with their head in the clouds.

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