This is not the time to "reduce" our nuclear weapons as the Obama administration suggests, it's a time to use deterrence. by James Luko
(centrist)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
AP reported on 15 February, 2012, that Obama ponders sharp cuts in American deployment of nuclear weapons- up to 80% following his pledge in 2009 to eliminate nuclear weapons.
In fact, Obama relies heavily on a September 2011 report by Rand (Paul K. Davis “Structuring Analysis to Support Future Decisions About Nuclear Forces and Postures) arguing that 300 nuclear weapons deployed would be sufficient deterrence.
Let's make a distinction between “deployed” warheads- as deliverable weapons (by air,sea,land) and warheads which are in stockpile. Strategic nuclear weapons would be delivered by submarines, missiles or bombers and would normally deliver a large yield (100-500kt), whereas, “tactical” battlefield nukes would be of a much smaller yield (0.5-20kt) and delivered by short range rockets or artillery.
The Pentagon has recently “revealed” our current nuclear force levels- which are much different than just a few years ago as a result of reductions under treaties between the U.S. And Russia. The Pentagon claims that the United States has approximately
1,700-1,800 deployed nuclear weapons (land,sea,air- can be delivered now)
with a total of 5,113 warheads- obviously meaning that 3,100-3,300 are stored and not placed on a delivery vehicle. In addition, there are thousands more of warheads which are in the “process” of being destroyed but the Pentagon is not revealing that exact number.
This is the worst time to announce or contemplate reductions in our nuclear arsenal.
To balance our planned conventional force cuts, and reluctant geo-strategic partners- like Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to reinvigorate one of our largest and most devastating advantages- nuclear weapons.
Let the Pakistanis be devoured by China and Iraq by Iran and Afghanistan by the Taliban. Our alternative option is to lean on these pipsqueaks with nuclear dominance.
In the global strategic nuclear theatre, the US maintains a vast superiority over China in nuclear forces:
Regarding the Chinese, there is considerable doubt as to the reliability and ability to accurately deliver its small nuclear force.
This advantage should now be flexed against the Chinese, Iran and North Korea despite a small conventional forces buildup in Asia in order to maintain the psychological edge in a war of nerves. America needs to strangle growing Chinese confidence in opposing America. The economic crisis in America and Europe, as well as our announced cuts in conventional forces adds impetus to China's growing emergence in seeking regional parity with the United States.
The gap between US and Chinese nuclear forces is huge and the use of low yielding and accurately delivered nuclear weapons gives America a tactical nuclear war fighting capability without the threat of triggering a global thermonuclear holocaust. China, for example, would/could have little response to a limited nuclear strike in a variety of scenarios- ie a Chinese land thrust into Pakistan aimed at seizing Middle East oil, Chinese attacks on US allies like Taiwan, South Korea, Japan or the Philippines.
This deadly advantage must now be played as a card to “contain” middle-power aspirants of usurping US global and regional dominance. As President Kennedy so poorly played America's nuclear dominance in the confrontations with the USSR, America has a clear strategic and overwhelming advantage- and to squander it- or even- more abhorrently- reduce our nuclear defense posture- is sheer geo-political suicide.
This is America's “last” military (outside of diplomacy, alliance building) advantage to leverage while America recovers its economy and stabilizes planned conventional force draw downs.
Just as Clinton's post-Cold War draw down in conventional forces led to a global power vacuum- unleashing untold tragedy of nationalistic and ethnic wars, reducing nuclear dominance would further invite strategic instability and encourage middle-power states to increase their challenges to America.
In an era of massive budget cuts, nuclear weapons are a cost effective force-multiplier delivering overwhelming strategic advantages, currently- it's the best bang for the buck.
American “hegemony” (PaxAmericana) has delivered global peace- (in the context of avoiding massive global wars involving the major powers) for 67 years, and is the best guarantee for continued world peace.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 4
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of James Luko only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
James Luko is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
