US plan for new nuclear arsenal

The Bush administration is planning a secret meeting in August to discuss the construction of a new generation of nuclear weapons, including "mini-nukes", "bunker-busters" and neutron bombs designed to destroy chemical or biological agents, according to a leaked Pentagon document.

The meeting of senior military officials and US nuclear scientists at the Omaha headquarters of the US Strategic Command would also decide whether to restart nuclear testing and how to convince the American public that the new weapons are necessary.

The leaked preparations for the meeting are the clearest sign yet that the administration is determined to overhaul its nuclear arsenal so that it could be used as part of the new "Bush doctrine" of pre-emption, to strike the stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons of rogue states.

Greg Mello, the head of the Los Alamos Study Group, a nuclear watchdog organisation that obtained the Pentagon documents, said the meeting would also prepare the ground for a US breakaway from global arms control treaties, and the moratorium on conducting nuclear tests.

Continued....

[Bob The Great]

its funny how its always "the such and such group is planning a SECRET meeting tuesday march 23rd at 2:30 in the chicago erea Rokleum hotel room 341 to discuss...blah blah blah" oy...

Any way, I think that stuff is kinda a bad idea! I mean seriously if I were say...a franceien I'd drink a bottle of wine and start stockpilling my cheese and bread...Ok bad example, say I were another country's person. If America started stock piling nuclear weapons I'd wet my pants and do the same!

[RADAR1797]

Sounds like conspiracy theory. Nukes have a place in our foreign policy. Such as, North Korea welcome to nuclear status. If you decide to attack South Korea we do not have the forces ready to defend them, but since you are a nuclear nation and we do not know when you will use them, we will just nuke you. Congrats on your accomplishment.

-RADAR

If you decide to attack South Korea we do not have the forces ready to defend them, but since you are a nuclear nation and we do not know when you will use them, we will just nuke you.

Good argument. But wouldn't it hold in all cases?

Substitute South Korea with Iraq, and assume the statement is issued by N. Korea against the US.

The point is nukes/biological/chemical weapons are bad no matter who owns them. The world has got to get rid of these or humanity has a limited lifespan.

You can't preach what you don't practice. This is one reason the nuclear non-proliferation treaty hasn't been a success--because it allows some countries to stockpile nukes and/or use nuclear energy for power generation while prohibiting others. Many countries with sophisticated nuclear technology (including India, Pakistan, China, .......) have taken the stand that if there is nuclear disarmament, it should include the US, England, Canada, Russia and France.

Can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Epidemic]

dis-arming requires trust.

Would you trust the chinese, Iraq, and so on to disarm???

Or more to the point. Would India trust that pakistan would destroy all their nukes.

True. For once I agrees with you.

A mechanism needs to be established to disarm all nations of such weapons. I dunno what form this mechanism may take or what process will be involved as yet.

Lemme think about it for the afternoon and by 5pm I should have something tangible.

[quux]

Originally posted by shahani
...
The point is nukes/biological/chemical weapons are bad no matter who owns them. The world has got to get rid of these or humanity has a limited lifespan.
...

Good point (not mentioning that the lifespan probably is limited anyway).

However, no learning ability seems to be implemented with regard to that.

CC.

[Theophylact]

Conspiracy theory?

The minutes, which Bush administration officials confirm as genuine [my emphasis], also talk of lower yield nuclear weapons being developed with reduced collateral damage.

One of the principal tasks being considered for such devices is the destruction of deep bunkers where chemical, biological or nuclear weapons are stored.

President Bush has repeatedly stated that the US would consider pre-emptive strikes in the future if it considers itself to be threatened.

[MD1032]

Boy, this makes the US look so great.

Of course the US is great.

So is Bush and his agenda for Iraq.

So what if you lose an eye to make your enemy blind.