So who decides who can/cannot have nuclear weapons?

[theHandpuppet]

Okay, someone here care to explain this to me? We have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the planet several times over. Russia, China, Pakistan, India, France, Israel et al have their own stockpiles over which there is little to no international regulation, and certainly several of the countries now in possession of nuclear weapons do NOT have democratic governments.

So who are we to say which countries get to have nuclear weapons? When it gets right down to it, any sabre rattling in the direction of Iraq and Iran (or any other Arab states) has seemed wholly hypocritical to me. Condi Rice says the U.N. may initiate sanctions against Iran? Poppycock! When will the U.N. employ sanctions against us for invading a sovereign nation which was no threat to us?

What good would it do for Iran to deny they have a nuclear program, or even to dismantle it? We have seen that would mean nothing, as we will invade them anyway and no one would stop us, let alone hold us accountable after the fact. To be honest, I think Iran would have to be nuts to disarm.

So... who decides? I'd rather NO ONE have nukes, but if the lid on that Pandora's box remains open I don't see how we can claim to dictate who can or cannot have a nuclear program.

[rpannier]

1. I agree

But in answer to your question...Those countries with the biggest arsenals decide. Which is sad.

[bryant69]

2. Well it's practical

Obviously you want Nuculear weapons in as few hands as possible (if they are too exist at all). The more people who have access to a nuclear arsenal the greater the likelihood there is that they will be used. So while it is a bit hypocritical for us and France and India to tell other nations that they can't have them, it's also probably the right answer.

Our actions, however, have weakened our position, as you point out. Why bother trying to play by the rules when you are just going to be invaded anyway?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Gyre]

3. I'm with you too.

The open hypocrasy of America, Britain and Israel is astonishing. The fact that mainstream media is complicit by not pointing out that hypocrasy is clear evidence of censorship being alive and well here. Our "press" is no longer free to report meaningful news, and our kids are too stupid to understand why that's a problem. However, the implications are not lost to DUers.

[KarenS]

4. I agree with you on this,,,,

Who made us the boss/police of the World??

It is insane, totally insane,,, that all these weapons exist and that the World, in general, is hungry & needs medical care/information/medicines,,,,,

:cry:

[pompano dem]

7. The fact we are the Single World Power gives us that right

I for one and very glad we have our Nukes since they do exist in this world. I also wish we were still the only nation with Nukes. I believe that for our own survival that we must restrict any other nation that doesn't have them today from obtaining them. If a country like Syria did get them how long before one is used on Israel. Israel has a stated policy that if a WMD of any kind is used on them they will unleash their entire nuclear arsenal on the offending nation. I believe that is good policy. Keeps them in check. They also want to make sure that potential enemies don't acquire that capability in the first place.

Our world policies are designed to protect American interests not there to assist other Nations. Nukes in the hands of wacko countries like Iran is counter to our interests and introduces risk we don't want to be exposed to. So, if they continue on their path to create Nukes we will bomb the Shit of them, and if not us, the Israelis will.

[thecrow]

5. I say amen to that

I thought that the UN had some position in this but it looks like the UN is powerless in this.

[jjtss]

6. In the Bush Administration.......

Might makes Right

[AG78]

8. Flying by the seat of our collective pants

Whoever wants to and can dictate it will.

[springhill]

9. They have every right...........

to defend themselves. And having nuclear weapons, unfortunately, is the only deterrant to at attack from the United States and its allies. It only makes sense, that especially now, this would become a priority for countrys that have been threatened by us.

It will only work to rid the world of nuclear weapons when
ALL countrys get rid of them. But, alas, that will never happen.