Report: Military Plans Nuke Hits on 7 Countries

New York Daily News ^ | 3/09/02 | LEO STANDORA

[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.

[eclectic]

One neutron bomb can ruin your whole day!

[backhoe]

"This is dynamite," Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear arms expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Yes, but not in the sense this, ahem!, gentleman means it-- it sounds like a good idea to me.

[gratefulwharffratt]

And the Congress wonders why they can't be told ANYTHING.

[krb]

"This is dynamite," Joseph Cirincione, a nuclear arms expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Actually, it's like several megatons of dynamite.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Whew!

Got in, doing a brief check before going to bed just to make sure nothing major has happened, and I read, "Military Planes Nuke Hits on 7 Countries". I about had a heart attack! Thank goodness I only misread 'Plans' as 'Planes'. Not going to sleep anytime soon after that adrenalyne shock.

[recalcitrant]

wow. surprised america? shouldn't be. nuff said.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Exactly.

[Mia T]

It would appear that Congress was told specifically because it would leak. The plan is useless if the bad guys don't know about it.

[wretchard]

Of the countries mentioned, i.e. "China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria", two were already on a nuclear attack list for decades: China and Russia. The remainder are an extended version of the Axis of Evil club: "Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria".

If it isn't true, it should be. The threat of massive retaliation in response to a nuclear attack on the United States kept the peace for over 50 years. It will help even now. My quibble: where is Pakistan? Of all the countries mentioned, bar Russia and China, it is the only one acknowledged to have nuclear weapons.

[piasa]

ROTFL, Very true!

[Michael Barnes]

Ya know...Every couple weeks or so, I am floored at the turn around in many policies. ABM demolished (Never thought I would have seen it). Dropping our policy to not use nukes against a non-nuke country (still have no idea how that one passed the media's radar screen's without sheer painful outcry from the leftist extremists 24x7), now this. Don't get me wrong, I like the direction were finally headed again. It's about damn time we start flexing some American muscle. Personally, I think (if this document is true) that it was "leaked" on purpouse.What better way to send some rather stinging and ominous messages abroad without really having to take responsibility for the warning?

[Harp]

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."

Someone nudge me when the president of the Council for Who Gives a Sh!t About Preciously Named Councils answers back.

[ex-Texan]

Sounds reasonable to me to release information about our new 'Nuke Policy' now.

Clintoon was telling the world we would simply sit back and 'accept a nuke first strike.' What freaking idiots Clintoon, Berger and Nobright were.

However, I also believe whoever it was in Congress that leaked this top secret Pentagon report ought to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The reporters at the La.La. Times also ought to be prosecuted if they refuse to indicate their sources.

Dashole and his evil minions might be looking at prison terms.

[Rudder]

...the secret report...says the nuclear weapons could be used against targets able to withstand nuclear attack

Something's a little amiss here...

[piasa]

It just said countries 'top' on the list. That's not all of the list, of course. (Pakistan and India are probably on there somewhere just in case.) What people never mention is that you have contingency plans for all kinds of attacks, from just about anyone and anywhere. If you didn't have plans there wouldn't be too much time to churn some out if we suddenly needed to do so.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

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.

It's a good start.

[piasa]

That would seem a little futile, eh?