Transcript Challenge of Nuclear Weapons

Challenge of Nuclear Weapons
Study guide 2
1. List two arguments in favor of
nuclear weapons. P. 13
• Deterrence continues to protect the U.S. from
aggression
– No one country would risk its own existence by
attacking another country that has nuclear weapons
• Nuclear weapons make the world safer
– Countries are less willing to risk the use of force
• If more countries had nuclear weapons the risk of
war between these countries would decrease
– Countries and their leaders make rational decisions
and their primary purpose is to ensure their country’s
survival
2. List two arguments against nuclear
weapons p. 14
• Deterrence cannot be relied upon to preserve
the safety of nations
– Imperfect human beings are involved
• Human error cannot be discounted
• Accidents have happened in the past although no nu
• clear detonation has occurred
• Unauthorized use
– China, India, and Pakistan do not have safeguards
as good as U.S. and Russia
• Cannot prevent unauthorized use (Chinese military)
2. Continued
• False alarms could lead to an attack
– Launch on Warning (LoW) 15 minute decision
– Heed the warning of War Games (global thermo
nuclear war)
• Danger of State Collapse
– Political instability
• Nuclear arsenals may fall into hands of extremists or
terrorists
3. What is the difference between a
strategic and a tactical nuclear weapon
p.13
• Strategic – long range
– Land-based ICBMs, submarine based SLBMs, and
gravity bombs in planes
• Tactical – short range
• Nuclear land mines, artillery shells, antiaircraft explosives
4. What is the purpose of the Cooperative
Threat Reduction programs? P. 16
• Nunn-Lugar Act (1991)
– Safely dismantle, dispose of, and safely store
nuclear weapons materials
5. What is the purpose of the National
Missile Defense program? List to
arguments made by its opponents. P. 17
• The purpose is to protect the U.S. against a
small number of ballistic missiles, either
accidentally launched against the U.S. or from
a country with only a few ICBMs. (China, NK)
• Con
– Millions spent, tests unsuccessful
– Unnecessary, not needed – strategies in place
work
– Could provoke a new arms race
6. What is nuclear proliferation? P. 18
• The spread of nuclear weapons
– Increases chance of use
– Increases probability of an accident
– Of unauthorized use
– Chance going to terrorists
– Can help keep peace
• As nuclear weapons did during Cold War
• MAD (mass assured destruction) deters use
7. List the three central components of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) p.
18
• Designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons and
weapons technology
• Most widely adhered to arms control treaty
– 1. states that had manufactured and exploded a nuclear
weapon before 1967 not give nuclear weapons or
technology to non-nuclear state and must reduce
stockpiles
– 2. states must not acquire or produce nuclear weapons in
exchange for the right to acquire equipment, materials,
and knowledge for peaceful purposes
– 3. states must submit to monitoring by the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continued
7. NPT continued
• China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, U.S.
have signed
• India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel have
not signed
– North Korea was a member but withdrew in 2002
and began its nuclear weapons program in earnest
• Treaty specifies nuclear weapons states are to
pursue nuclear disarmament
8. What was Abdul Qadeer-Kahn
known for? P. 20
• Known as the father of Pakistan’s nuclear
weapons program
• “Wal-Mart” of Nuclear Proliferation
– Hero in Pakistan
– Ringleader of an international smuggling ring that
sold nuclear weapons, plans and technology
• Iran, North Korea, and Libya
9. List two countries where nuclear
proliferation is a concern. Explain the
concern in each country. P. 20+
• India and Pakistan
– India and Pakistan fighting over borders
– Pakistan providing info and equipment to North
Korea and Iran
– Weapons may fall into the hands of Pakistani
extremists
– Many experts believe the greatest security threat
today is the possibility of nuclear proliferation by
Pakistan