"Stephen Harding" wrote


Although it's a risky premise, I wonder if possession of nuclear weapons
(by a state as opposed to private whackos) forces a degree of care in
decision making that might not otherwise be there? Would the world be a
more peaceful place if *everyone* had nukes???

Don't think so. There's been at least a few nutters, given the chance, who
might have. Quadaffi, maybe...Idi Amin, among others.
Plus there is the question of control, and government stabiliy. With
insufficient controls....a private whacko *may* get control of a nuke. Or a
hostile takeover of an unpopular leader. Then who is in control? For a
time...no one.

Would the Red Army Faction have used a nuke? Probably. Those fools with the
gas in the subway in Japan? Probably. Arafat in the early days? Maybe.

Given enough of them in various hands, and a few *will* leak out to those
who would use them. On purpose or by accident.

Pete