Nukes, the Next-Generation

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"My goal is to move quickly to reduce nuclear forces. The United States will lead by example to achieve our interests and the interests for peace in the world." President Bush, 2001

Most Americans would be surprised to know that the nuclear arms race has been restarted by the Bush administration, for the first time since the U.S. banned the production of such weapons in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; signed by the U.S. and Russia in 1968, entered into force in 1970; and since the moratorium on nuclear testing, which has been in place since 1992.

Three nuclear utilities have already applied for site permits this year, and more are expected to follow in the wake of a revival of the rhetoric of advocacy for a broad range of pet projects from the nuclear industry and administration supporters. 144

Gen. Lee Butler, of the Strategic Air Command, along with former Air Force Secretary Thomas Reed, and Col. Michael Wheeler, made a report in 1991 which recommended the targeting of our nuclear weaponry at "every reasonable adversary around the globe." 145

The report warned of nuclear weapons states which are likely to emerge." They were aided in their pursuit by, John Deutch, President Clinton's choice for Defense Secretary; Fred Iklé, former Deputy Defense Secretary, associated with Jonathan Pollard; future CIA Director R. James Woolsey; and Condoleezza Rice, who was on the National Security Council Staff, 1989-1991.

The new nuke report recommended that U.S. nuclear weapons be re-targeted, where U.S. forces faced conventional "impending annihilation ... at remote places around the globe," according to William M. Arkin and Robert S. Norris, in their criticism of the report in the April 1992 issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists ("Tiny Nukes"). 146

At the same time, two Los Alamos (Lockheed) nuclear weapons scientists, Thomas Dowler and Joseph Howard, published an article in 1991 in the Strategic Review, titled "Countering the Threat of the Well-Armed Tyrant: A Modest Proposal for Smaller Nuclear Weapons." They argued that, "The existing U.S. nuclear arsenal had no deterrent effect on Saddam and is unlikely to deter a future tyrant."

They advocated for "the development of new nuclear weapons of very low yields, with destructive power proportional to the risks we will face in the new world environment," and they specifically called for the development and deployment of "micro-nukes" (with explosive yield of 10 tons), "mini-nukes" (100 tons), and "tiny-nukes" (1 kiloton).

Their justification for the smaller nuclear weapons was their contention that no President would authorize the use of the nuclear weapons in our present arsenal against Third World nations. "It is precisely this doubt that leads us to argue for the development of sub-kiloton weapons," they wrote.

In a White House document created in April 2000, "The United States of America Meeting its Commitment to Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," the administration stated that, "as the United States reduces the numbers of its nuclear weapons, it is also transforming the means to build them." 147

Over the past decade, the United States has dramatically changed the role and mission of its nuclear-weapon complex from weapon research, development, testing, and production to weapon dismantlement, conversion for commercial use, and stockpile stewardship.

That was his father's nuclear program. George II wants bombs.

More:
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/PowerOfMischiefChapterFour.htm


This is an excerpt from my book, Power Of Mischief: http://www.returningsoldiers.us/pompage.htm

Download the book for free!
http://www.returningsoldiers.us/Power%20Of%20Mischief4.pdf

Hope folks can use the info therein. I've been stepped on repeatedly in the process of publishing this book, in ways I'd rather not discuss. No one can stop me from giving it away though.

Here's my list of numbered, linked references for the book (253 links):
http://returningsoldiers.us/biblio.htm

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Thanks for sharing that.

[bigtree]

3. You're welcome

That's what it's all about, the sharing.

[ant]

2. question

Most Americans would be surprised to know that the nuclear arms race has been restarted by the Bush administration, for the first time since the U.S. banned the production of such weapons in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; signed by the U.S. and Russia in 1968, entered into force in 1970; and since the moratorium on nuclear testing, which has been in place since 1992.

The NPT doesn't explicitly ban the production of nuclear weapons by the U.S. or any of the other nuclear weapon states. It does contain a provision about the nuclear states making good faith efforts towards disarmament, but it's not explicit about what that means. Is that what you're saying bans the production of nuclear weapons?

[bigtree]

4. You are correct in that the ban only applies to non-nuclear states

The passage is misleading. Here is a relevant passage from the treaty:

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also referred to as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), obligates the five acknowledged nuclear-weapon states (the United States, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, France, and China) not to transfer nuclear weapons, other nuclear explosive devices, or their technology to any non-nuclear-weapon state. Non-nuclear-weapon States Parties undertake not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices. They are required also to accept safeguards to detect diversions of nuclear materials from peaceful activities, such as power generation, to the production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. This must be done in accordance with an individual safeguards agreement, concluded between each non-nuclear-weapon State Party and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Under these agreements, all nuclear materials in peaceful civil facilities under the jurisdiction of the state must be declared to the IAEA, whose inspectors have routine access to the facilities for periodic monitoring and inspections. If information from routine inspections is not sufficient to fulfill its responsibilities, the IAEA may consult with the state regarding special inspections within or outside declared facilities.
http://fas.org/nuke/control/npt/

It appears that the testing ban is all that stands between Bush and new-nukes. Also, the Foster Panel Report, also known as the FY2000 Report to Congress of the Panel to Assess the Reliability, Safety, and Security of the United States Nuclear Stockpile, found that it could take 15 years from the point of developing a conceptual design for a pit facility until the final construction of the facility is completed.

The report stated that, "If it is determined through the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program that one or more of our existing pit designs is no longer reliable, and therefore is not certifiable, our nuclear stockpile would, in effect, be unilaterally downsized below a level which could maintain a strong nuclear deterrence." 163

That is the hook which supporters of an expanded nuclear program will use to justify an abrogation of the treaty ban on testing, and begin their new-generation arms race. If they don't get their way - to fiddle with and refurbish the existing nukes - they will argue that deterrence is at risk.

[ant]

5. got it

thanks

[bigtree]

6. kick

:kick:

[OneBlueSky]

7. just a suggestion . . .

the text on your website would be MUCH more readable if it were formatted flush left rather than centered . . .

[bigtree]

10. Thanks Blue Sky

Done-

:kick:

[OneBlueSky]

12. MUCH better . . .

now . . . you might want to break up the text a little by highlighting with bold and/or italics . . . one way to do this would be to put the names of any organizations or agencies in bold, and put all proper names in either italics or bold italics . . . you could also selectively -- very selectively -- highlight a few key phrases or thoughts that you consider particularly important . . . again, just to break up the text some and make it more reader friendly. . . something like this, maybe . . .

Gen. Lee Butler, of the Strategic Air Command, along with former Air Force Secretary Thomas Reed, and Col. Michael Wheeler, made a report in 1991 which recommended the targeting of our nuclear weaponry at "every reasonable adversary around the globe." 145

[Solon]

8. Relevant quote....

“The fact that some elements may appear to be potentially ‘out of control’ can be beneficial to creating and reinforcing fears and doubts within the minds of an adversary’s decision makers...

“That the U.S. may become irrational and vindictive if its vital interests are attacked should be a part of the national persona we project to all adversaries... It hurts to portray ourselves as too fully rational and cool-headed...”

— U.S. Strategic Command
Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence
1995

[kaitykaity]

9. Lockheed Martin shoots!!

They scoorreeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[bigtree]

11. kick

:kick:

[bigtree]

13. kick

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