Posted on 03/09/2002 1:07:48 AM PST by kattracks
The White House has ordered the Pentagon to prepare plans for using nuclear weapons against at least seven countries and to build smaller nuclear bombs for certain battlefield situations, according to a published report today.
Tops on the nuclear hit list are China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria, according to a classified Pentagon report obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
"This is dynamite," Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear arms expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, told the newspaper. "I can imagine what these countries are going to be saying at the UN."
The Times said the secret report, given to Congress on Jan. 8, says the nuclear weapons could be used against targets able to withstand nuclear attack; in retaliation for attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or "in the event of surprising military developments."
The report says the Pentagon should be prepared to use nuclear weapons in an Arab-Israeli conflict, in a war between China and Taiwan or in an attack by North Korea on the south, and possibly in an attack by Iraq on Israel or another neighbor.
The call for a limited-range arsenal was seen as an important deterrent against enemies who doubt the U.S. would use larger weapons in certain situations because of the widespread death and destruction they would cause.
The U.S. has long had a detailed plan for nuclear attack on Russia, but the new Nuclear Posture Review apparently marks the first time an official list of potential targets has been compiled.
The report acknowledges Russia is no longer officially an "enemy," but cites concern about the huge Russian arsenal of about 6,000 deployed warheads and some 10,000 smaller "theater" weapons, The Times said.
Pentagon spokesman Richard McGraw declined comment because, he said, the report is classified.
Nuclear analysts predicted to the newspaper that the report would draw strong reaction, but some insisted the Pentagon must be ready — especially after Sept. 11 — for all contingencies.
One nuclear expert, John Isaacs, president of the Council for a Livable World, said, "This is very, very dangerous talk.... Dr. Strangelove is clearly still alive in the Pentagon."
U.S. policy generally has been to consider the use of nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states only if they are allied with nuclear powers.
Always, there's some government schmuck who thinks his personal agenda is more important than his country's security.
A canary trap -- quite possible.
I would disagree, and say Iraq has. My reason being the attempted assasination of Pres. Bush 41. That may have been a few years ago, but I don't think our current president, his son has forgotten!
Won't fit in my budget.
Revelation is an ugly revenge fantasy directed against the Roman Empire, akin to something a Palesinian mystic might write today about Israel and America. God is a Creator not a Destroyer. This, and other apocalyptic clap-trap in the Bible, are the most thoroughly human parts of the book. They have nothing to do with God.
Sorry. I know many will disagree, but I think this should be said from time to time. Wouldn't want positive enthusiasm for apocalypse (incredible, ain't it?) to get out of hand.
Of course we have contingency plans. What do you want our military to do, make it up on the fly? After we're attacked?
Ooooh. That'll put terror in our hearts.
Ok, I'll go along with your premise. If Iraq has attacked us, then why does China top The List? Why are all those other countries on The List? Why wouldn't we only sabre-rattle at Iraq?
Let me ask my question another way. What have these countries done (except Iraq) to threaten us, with the exception of posing a *potential* threat at some future date? Are we trying to anger and provoke as much of the world as possible?
You posted, It also occurs to me that we had an earlier leak which was subsequently discounted. That was the leak to Time about the pseudo nuclear threat on NYC.
As soon as it hit the stands, it was explained and discounted. Another two-fer: leak identified and Time with egg on their face.
This little stealth action showed to the world and America that Slime is a worthless weekly canary cage liner. It, also, showed that Time clued the Hilldebeast in before they published their bs. Then the Hilldebeast goes whacko based on the Slimes bogus story. That gave GW a twofer! Slime and the Hilldebeast looked like first class clymers with worse than egg on their face.
"Despite all the anti-Bush critics here, it is obvious to me that President Bush is very shrewd and very subtle. It is a pleasure to behold."
One of the best advantages in a political battle is to let your enemies think that you are dumb and a bungler. Then as they post/shout how dumb you are. Your actions show who is really dumb and out of touch with reality. The GW haters are like Da$$hole, they look worse every time they come out with their GW hate talk. The first amendment is great as stupid people will hang themselves if given enough rope and time! Just look at our favorite hissing and snarling possum, Krystol, the receiver of $100,000 from DemRonGate. He has hung himself in the townsquare with his inane opeds. By 2004, you and I will be the two people who will remember him, as our favorite hissing and snarling possum!
Here's a question for you:
Why is the Champs Elysee lined with trees?
Because the German Army likes to march in the shade.
Riiight. We've long had a detailed plan regarding Russia, but nobody ever thought to compile a target list. Quick... who has a link to the animated "Bullshit Meter"?
This report has circulated through Congress and was first reported in the l.a. slimes, I doubt that the order of the countries is accurate.
What have these countries done (except Iraq) to threaten us, with the exception of posing a *potential* threat at some future date? Are we trying to anger and provoke as much of the world as possible?
The exact same thing, China, North Korea and Iran have done their own sabre-rattling themselves. Syria and Libya are nuts enough to try at least blackmail if they could. Russia has been on the list for decades and knows it. Thing are pretty good with them these days, but that could always change and they do have the largest arsenal in the world besides us, it would be reckless not to have a plan just in case.
I tend to agree with many off the posters above who think this was an intended leak to put the world on notice that we are willing to do whatever it take to defend ourselves without saying it overtly. The only ones trying to anger the world are the leakers and the leftist press.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.