The world will be a safer place once all nations have nukes.

Is that tongue in cheek Timber? (sorry, the lack of smileys makes it hard to tell!)

In case it isn't: Deterrent only works when you value your own life. If people are willing to suicide bomb now, there's no reason to believe that they will refrain from killing themelves in a nuclear war.

[ 11-22-2004, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

If they had nukes, they wouldn't get crapped on so much. They'd be dealt with more respectfully. If that were done, would they still want to wage jihad? Killing yourself to save your people from destruction is one thing -- but if the only reason you're doing it is hatred for their religion, will you still do it? If your people have freedom, autonomy, and a chance to make it, will you be so eager to die?

Who is it that needs deterred, anyway? *We* already have nukes, so if they were going to be deterred, it would already be happening -- and it is of course. But, maybe *we* need to be deterred as well. Can you cite for me the last time two nuclear powers were willing to make war with each other? When was the last time a nuclear power's soil was invaded by an enemy army?

[ 11-22-2004, 11:46 AM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

<font color = lightgreen>He's right, you know. The only logical solution to the "mutually assured destruction" simulation game is for all players to be equally equipped. The goal is to win. If you kill an opponent, then all players lose, so killing an opponent is not a winning strategy. The only "winning" strategy is complete stalemate. Simple.</font>

How about India and Pakistan...they came pretty close?

Plus during the Cuban missile crisis there was about three accidents which almost kicked everything off due to inadequate procedures and stupidity at lower levels of command. A world where everyone had nukes would be bad for my heart [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Right with your point about it protecting them from being crapped on, but our safety does depend on them being rational and well-informed. There are those whose hatred for Israel and/or the West is such that they'd probably see our sudden respect for them as a conspiracy.

[ 11-22-2004, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

How did India and Pakistan avoid conflict? One said "we gots nukes," and the other said "you think we don't?" Backed down pretty well after that, didn't they?

I'm betting Iran already has the technology as well as a couple of prototypes. Can't help it. 10 years ago I predicted a domino effect of these countries having to get/declare nuclear capability, beginning with India. Look on your map and watch the slow progression of nuke-capable countries. It's slouching from West to East -- toward Bethlehem.