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> But sadly the US has not been taking a leadership role recently. I'd wager the US will dismantle it's nuclear weapons the day other nations stop seeking to p
by Alupis 6y ago
> But sadly the US has not been taking a leadership role recently.
I'd wager the US will dismantle it's nuclear weapons the day other nations stop seeking to produce nuclear weapons. ie, this will never happen.
The US, China, Russia, India, UK, etc having nuclear weapons is a lot less of a threat to global security than a nation-state such as Iran, which vows to destroy it's surrounding nations every chance it gets.
The history of humans has been rife with armed conflict. It's an anomaly that the last 70 years have not seen massive global armed conflict, particularly in the "digital age". Perhaps nations that have nuclear weapons, but don't desire to use them are the reason? Perhaps not... but what is certain is Iran has stated they intend to use nuclear weapons, and that's not ok by anyone.
- whimsicalism 6y agoIran is a large nation of millions of people with a relatively developed government (even if we don't like the way it is currently structured). I doubt they would initiate a nuclear strike, knowing it means their annihilation. Also, most modern statements by Iran focus on the "Zionist regime", not the literal killing of the residents of Israel. You can find similar rhetoric in the United States about the CCP. > what is certain is Iran has stated they intend to use nuclear weapons Is that certain? When have they said that?
- Alupis 6y agoYou cannot find similar rhetoric from the US vowing to destroy China. In fact, you'd find the exact opposite. Your other points rely on a rational actor... rational actors don't take freight ships hostage nor kidnap tourists.
- whimsicalism 6y ago> rational actors don't take freight ships hostage not kidnap tourists. Israel has kidnapped tourists before. Vanunu is still trapped in Israel. Where has Iran said that they intend to use nuclear weapons?
- Alupis 6y ago> Israel has kidnapped tourists before. Vanunu is still trapped in Israel. Mordechai Vanunu? His situation is quite a bit different than kidnapping a tourist that literally has done nothing to Iran except show up - or a freight ship traversing international waters. Vanunu leaked a ton of nuclear secrets about Israel and fled - ie, he was no tourist and your point makes no sense. Whataboutism isn't a good reason to excuse Iran's extremely poor international behavior, nor condone their relentless threats against Israel and other nations (including the US). Nor does whataboutism excuse Iran's direct funding of terrorist groups that have killed Americans and other nationals alike. With all these discussions, it's important to note the regime of Iran is not the people of Iran. The people are likely amazing and full of culture and history - the regime is oppressive and aggressive, which is not tolerated in modern times.
- whimsicalism 6y agoHe was a tourist in Italy when he was abducted.
- Alupis 6y agoAnd Italy abducted him? I do not follow your point...
- klibertp 6y agoStill, keeping the guy who served his full sentence of nearly 20 years in the country (and with various additional restrictions) for anothe 15 years is not a nice thing to do. They should have shot him dead in Rome and be done with it, like in 2.5k other cases. Nothing to do with the discussion here, just a random thought on the Vanunu matter.
- Protostome 6y ago>I doubt they would initiate a nuclear strike, knowing it means their annihilation. If someone with a gun holstered at their waist asked you to give you your money, would you refuse? If Iran will get access to nuclear weapons, it's status in international politics will change drastically, all leverages the west has on Iran (like the ability to impose sanctions upon human right violations and counter their violent export of the shiite ideology) will more or less disappear
- whimsicalism 6y agoIs that why we don't have the ability to impose sanctions on North Korea?
- Protostome 6y agoFirstly, the NK situation is terrible. South Koreans are basically living with a sword hanging above their neck 24/7. I don't think that the middle east, being an unstable region to begin with, would benefit from yet such a major destabilizing factor. Iran has an ability to inflict much more damage upon the west than NK and Pakistan combined. It is an oil rich country, neighbor to the one of the biggest oil exporters in the world and is located in the center one of the busiest naval traffic routes.
- dillondoyle 6y agoIt's hard to differentiate an actual threat though. Trump is an example here who also stated he intended to use nuclear weapons, often times in stupidly ignorant ways. I think there are parallels with Iran, in that a lot of BS & insane rhetorical bluster we hear(d) feed the base so they can maintain power. They need to keep the religious base flustered and angry at an enemy to maintain their own power.
- Alupis 6y agoTrump said he'd use nuclear weapons? I must have missed this, source?
- reducesuffering 6y agoWhile Trump's rhetoric about "fire and fury" and retaliation against other countries was insane for a US President, he never explicitly said anything about nuclear and it's a grasp for others to imply he meant that.
- dillondoyle 6y agoYeah I wouldn't read to much into his addled 'brain' lol but he also asked his advisors if he could Nuke hurricanes and there are lots of reports that he is fixated on them, asking 'why can't i use them' like a 8 year old wanting to use dangerous adult power tools but WHYYYY. Or responding why do we have them if we don't use them. Sorry that's probably too much editorializing for HN but it's extremely farcical on its face. https://time.com/4437089/donald-trump-nuclear-weapons-nukes/ https://time.com/4437089/donald-trump-nuclear-weapons-nukes/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40879868 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40879868