Abu Muqawama: Post
Abu Muqawama retains its autonomy and the views and beliefs expressed within the blog do not reflect those of CNAS. Abu Muqawama retains the right to delete comments that include words that incite violence; are predatory, hateful, or intended to intimidate or harass; or degrade people on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. In summary, don't be a jerk.
The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb
If you are in Washington, DC today and have already given up on your New Years resolution to go to the gym after work each day, swing by the W Hotel around 6:00 tonight for an event featuring Philip Taubman's new book, The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb. Taubman's book received a very positive review in the New York Times on Sunday.
I am no specialist in nuclear weapons or arms control, but can I still share Henry Kissenger's doubts about whether "Nuclear Zero" is actually a good idea in practice?
Kissinger’s doubts hang ominously over “The Partnership.” The technology cannot be uninvented; when one country goes to zero, its enemy is sorely tempted to cheat; and the scarier the government, the less amenable it is to disarming. Many of the governments and dignitaries calling for abolition are just mouthing the words.
My worries exactly. Anyway, please RSVP here if you plan on attending. I am sure CNAS director Bill Perry will have lots of smart responses to my above concerns.
I'm not sold on
I'm not sold on de-nuclearization either. How many people died in wars between the Great Powers before nuclear bombs? How many afterwards? Nuclear weapons are dangerous, but they also make policymakers very careful about situations where they might end up being aimed at them.
The bomb will never
The bomb will never disappear, unless something cheaper, easier to build and far more effective is developed. Until then who would be the unwise leader who would dispose of the “last one”.
No word at the talk about
No word at the talk about whether the U.S. should go around the world enforcing "zero" on other countries. I recall WMD being one of the reasons for invading Iraq.
Add your comment