This is an interesting counter point and a good reason to avoid absolute statements... however, unfortunately, the threat of chemical warefare, and other means

This is an interesting counter point and a good reason to avoid absolute statements... however, unfortunately, the threat of chemical warefare, and other means of mass and indiscriminate killing and suffering, are very sadly still with us to this day. We aren't really out of the woods and it seems like the biggest detterant so far has been the threat of greater destruction.