Phase out the bomb
The authors premise is that technology diffusion and economic interdependence are creating a modernistic world in which a growing number of states share important common interests, values, and perspectives. These common interests can ultimately provide a basis for cooperation to control and eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Republican and Democratic administrations have long recognized that the widespread dissemination of weapons of mass destruction would pose unacceptable risk to the U.S. security. Yet U.S. policy has only been able to slow proliferation, not end it. More gradually than anticipated, but inexorably, more countries have gained capabilities to manufacture weapons of mass destruction, along with the missile systems to deliver them rapidly. If the current trends continue, new countries seem likely to join the nuclear club in mid-term, and even more countries after that. A radically different approach is required if the U.S. is serious about stopping the spread of nuclear capabilities. The U.S. seeks to convince would-be proliferators that nuclear weapons are neither a legitimate nor an effective means of protecting national security, yet U.S. foreign and defense policies telegraph exactly the opposite message. An agenda for eventual elimination of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological weapons is given.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 35448
- Journal Information:
- Foreign Policy, Journal Name: Foreign Policy Journal Issue: 97; ISSN FRPLAC; ISSN 0015-7228
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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