Extended Deterrence
One of the most important features of the US relation to the world for the last 50 years has been the extended deterrence offered to allied nations. In other words, if anyone used a nuke on our ally, we would use a nuke on the aggressor.
The problem is that we are now looking to dismantle our nuclear programs (and by "we" I mean Obama) at a time when the rest of the world is adding nukes. The big one is of course N. Korea and its now successful nuclear program.
The fear is that without credible extended deterrence from the US, S. Korea and possibly Japan would be forced to start their own nuclear weapons programs. It is assumed given their wealth and technological advancement, it would take each of these states only a year or so to build their first nuke.
The thinking goes, and I agree with it, the fewer states with nukes the better. The more countries with nukes, especially with limited nuclear arsenals which dont create the fear of world-ending annihilation, the more likely it is that someone will use one of them.
Hopefully the US changes course on this one, and actually a) really pressures North Korea - there were some initial signs of real protest, now there is just limp verbiage, and b) maintains a credible nuclear deterrent.
The problem is that we are now looking to dismantle our nuclear programs (and by "we" I mean Obama) at a time when the rest of the world is adding nukes. The big one is of course N. Korea and its now successful nuclear program.
The fear is that without credible extended deterrence from the US, S. Korea and possibly Japan would be forced to start their own nuclear weapons programs. It is assumed given their wealth and technological advancement, it would take each of these states only a year or so to build their first nuke.
The thinking goes, and I agree with it, the fewer states with nukes the better. The more countries with nukes, especially with limited nuclear arsenals which dont create the fear of world-ending annihilation, the more likely it is that someone will use one of them.
Hopefully the US changes course on this one, and actually a) really pressures North Korea - there were some initial signs of real protest, now there is just limp verbiage, and b) maintains a credible nuclear deterrent.
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