US weighing steep nuclear arms cuts

Associated Press ^ | 14 Feb 2012 | ROBERT BURNS

[rarestia]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is weighing options for sharp new cuts to the U.S. nuclear force, including a reduction of up to 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons, The Associated Press has learned.

Even the most modest option now under consideration would be an historic and politically bold disarmament step in a presidential election year, although the plan is in line with President Barack Obama's 2009 pledge to pursue the elimination of nuclear weapons.

No final decision has been made, but the administration is considering at least three options for lower total numbers of deployed strategic nuclear weapons cutting to: 1,000 to 1,100; 700 to 800, and 300 to 400, according to a former government official and a congressional staffer. Both spoke on condition of anonymity in order to reveal internal administration deliberations.

The potential cuts would be from a current treaty limit of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads.

[U-238]

As long there is a JCS, SIOP will exist in some form.

[familyop]

Little education needed here.

* The “nuclear winter” myth is a myth created in commie academic circles and publicized by Hollywood.

* China has several hundred mobiles that can reach any spot in the USA and hit within 200-300 meters.

* Russia has over 4,000 nuclear warheads.

* Iran is probably mounting nukes in Venezuela and has promised to propagate nuclear weapons and technologies to its allies (Syria and others).

* Pakistan has nuclear weapons.

* Most of the constituents valued the most by politicians of both political parties will risk anything to keep their global debt regime going as long as possible. That includes avoiding any confrontation with the likes of Iran at all potential costs.

Have fun. Enjoy the slide and interesting consequences thereafter.

[wolf78]

The Russians and Chinese would. They have entire strategies written down discussing it.

Having something written down doesn't mean they'd actually do it. China has 20% of the world population but only 10% of the world's arable land. The Chinese political elite needs trade to feed its people. A nuclear war would result in mass starvation, regional conflict and the likely overthrow of the communist party.

[familyop]

* Oh, and N. Korea.

[U-238]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Minuteman_launch_key.jpg/220px-Minuteman_launch_key.jpg

[WPaCon]

Even as we speak I wonder if the underwater location of our trident submarines is secure with Obama in the White House or if the Soviets have been assured that he would not retaliate but surrender if they attacked.

Doe Obama know where all of them are at?

I'd imagine that this line of thought would have come up with Jimmy Carter in the White House.

[U-238]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Minuteman_launch_key.jpg/220px-Minuteman_launch_key.jpg

[Revel]

I suppose that once again- Congress will have no say, and that congress does not even want to have a say.

[U-238]

Usually, at least five of the 18 Trident submarines are on patrol in the Atlantic and Pacific at any given moment. Locations are classified.

[Da Coyote]

Reminds me of the movie “Seven Days in May”.

[RedMDer]

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FR is looking for more Monthly Donors. With dedicated Monthly Donors there would be no need for FReepathons. Isn't Free Republic worth it? These FReepers think so. For the past several Thons they have donated $10 for each new monthly donor. LibLieSlayer, afnamvet, DejaJude, upchuck, leapfrog0202, BuckeyeTexan, The Old Lady, onyx, RedMDer, Meg33, anonymous, BooBoo1000, glockrocks Any FReeper can sponsor any number of New Monthly Donors at $10 per New Monthly Donor. Whatever number you're comfortable sponsoring! All contributions are for the Current Quarter Expenses. In other words, FR could go away if the expenses for this quarter are not met. Where would you go? Click here or mail checks to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

[Squantos]

That word “deployed” seems to pop up a whole lot in that article ........;o)

[WPaCon]

I guess my question is does Obama know everything there is to know about our nuclear weapons?

If he does, God help us.

[U-238]

The flight time from launch to their targets is 25 minutes and have an accuracy around 500-800 feet.

[U-238]

He probably does. He is briefed by the Joints Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense.

[jveritas]

He is not going to do it. He is just making his usual rhetoric to energize his lunatic base in an election year. There are things that are off limit to any President or any group or any party no matter who is President and no matter which party controls COngress. National security is one of them.

By now it is easy to understand Obama. He has the most radical and socialist rhetoric of any President in history but his actions are no way near his stupid rhetoric. We live in a time where rhetoric is the most powerful political weapon used by politicians both on the left and the right for the simple reason that the bases of both parties seek to hear the tough rhetoric more than looking at actual actions.

[wolf78]

200 bombs is around how much we have in European bases.

I used the number as an example because it's about as much as each France and the UK have. I don't think 200 nukes for the US would be realistic. Neither do I think the 300-400 nukes scenario would be.

A realistic exchange is a 5000 megaton exchage between the Russians and United States.

Yes, but how realistic is it? 5000 megatons is pretty much a doomsday scenario, it's a fight over who gets to be king of the trashheap. I can imagine a limited nuclear war in India or Korea with a dozen or so nukes. But when it comes to the US and Russia, the real significance of the nuclear arsenal lies in its hypothetical power and the way it can be used to influence other nations' way of thinking.

So TO ME the most important question is: how to maximize the psychological effect?

If you actually have to use your nukes, it's game over anyway.

[okie01]

So TO ME the most important question is: how to maximize the psychological effect?

To start with, you have to be willing to use them -- so that enemies have no doubt that, past a certain point (best left undefined), you will use them.

With this crowd, though, that doesn't work so well. Whether they've got 1,550 or 300 nukes in the cupboard, nobody has any fear whatsoever that they'll use them.

Accordingly, they have no deterrent value -- save the fear about what the next administration might do.

[Kickass Conservative]

Seven Days in May, great movie.

Too bad the Obama nightmare didn't last just two hours instead of a lifetime.