At first blush, I agree with it. This president, or any subsequent president, can’t just hit the big red button preemptively.
But past that, you have to ask, how does this change deterrence, pacts with allies, strategy and foreign diplomacy?
More imminently, would it embolden Kim? He already knows he will get destroyed if he actually launches a nuke at a real target, but would he then suddenly consider attacking Seoul with non-nukes now that Trumps hands are tied? I wouldn’t imagine Nuking North Korea if they use conventional weapons on South Korea, but Kim doesn’t need to believe this.
>>This president, or any subsequent president, can’t just hit the big red button preemptively.<<
The USC Begs to differ. And, thank God, one POTUS did just that and saved millions of lives.
Hot Flash!!! The SIOP, The Plan, for nuclear war, is, and has been for 60 years, that, given evidence that the Other Side is on the verge of launching, WE SHOOT FIRST! No More Pearl Harbors! Nancy knows this. It's called "Launch On Warning." The Guy in the White Hat beats the Other Guy to the Draw.
The USSR knew this. Every Secretary Of State, back to MacNamara, has known this. With, at one time, 7,000 targeted nuclear weapons, MIRVed ICBMs, MIRVed SLBMs. SAC launched cruise missles, (Bombs on communication satellites? If their are, and they were needed, who would care?), we've been targeting police stations and social clubs, in the smaller towns of of both China and Russia, for lack of anything better to shoot at.
Sleep well. The Nuclear Triad is up all night, protecting you.