There is no doubt that nuclear weapons are one of the horrors of our existence, but what is equally clear is that they do seem to work as a deterrent (in the hands of sane people, at least). I believe that absent nuclear weapons, the US and USSR would have fought one or more major wars in the 50's, 60's and 70's. A problem for policy makers today is that many think it unlikely that Russia would have annexed Crimea if Ukraine still had its Soviet era nukes. Like the famous line about Colt making men equal, nukes are a relatively cheap way to deter even much larger antagonists. A sad reality indeed.
There is no doubt that nuclear weapons are one of the horrors of our existence, but what is equally clear is that they do seem to work as a deterrent (in the hands of sane people, at least). I believe that absent nuclear weapons, the US and USSR would have fought one or more major wars in the 50's, 60's and 70's. A problem for policy makers today is that many think it unlikely that Russia would have annexed Crimea if Ukraine still had its Soviet era nukes. Like the famous line about Colt making men equal, nukes are a relatively cheap way to deter even much larger antagonists. A sad reality indeed.
ReplyDeleteConcerning the US and USSR, I've made the same argument. People don't like to acknowledge it, but when it comes to preventing wars, fear works.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Venn. I'd need only a very modest fission-warhead arsenal to deter management inspections and the noisy neighbors upstairs.