Obama planning Nuke cuts while N. Korea heats things up

[Woodbabe]

Do you think a reduction in the American Arsenal is going to stop other countries from building theirs up? Is this a smart move for the US?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9863458/State-of-the-Union-Barack-Obama-to-call-for-cull-of-Americas-nuclear-weapons-arsenal.html

The proposal to cut the US strategic warhead arsenal by up 40 per cent could save billions of dollars and take America another step closer to the long-term goal - avowed by Mr Obama in his landmark speech in Prague in 2009 - of a nuclear-free world.

Although Mr Obama is not expected to give precise numbers in his speech, reports yesterday claimed that the number of warheads could be cut from 1,700 to as low as 1,000, if a mutual agreement can be secured with Russia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/12/us-korea-north-idUSBRE91B04820130212

(Reuters) - North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday in defiance of existing U.N. resolutions, drawing condemnation from around the world, including from its only major ally, China, which summoned the North Korean ambassador to protest.

The reclusive North said the test was an act of self-defense against "U.S. hostility" and threatened further, stronger steps if necessary.

It said the test had "greater explosive force" than the 2006 and 2009 tests. Its KCNA news agency said it had used a "miniaturized" and lighter nuclear device, indicating that it had again used plutonium which is more suitable for use as a missile warhead.

[LauraKW]

I'm pretty sure the US will retain enough nukes to decimate the planet either way.

[punky3175]

I don't have a problem with us cutting back our arsenal. 1000 is more than enough as long as Russia draws down as well. Even if other countries are able to create their own nuclear warheads, they won't be able to catch up to us.

[lga1965]

 That was what JFK was trying to do , but then, you know what happened to him,right? The big guys behind the scenes ( the ones with dollar signs in place of their eyeballs and no brains) who wanted to increase our arsenal and build more military aircraft,etc. wouldn't let that happen. After JFK was out of the picture, it was ramped up and the war in Vietnam was too....an excellent money making enterprise.

I'm not saying anything similar could happen now, but I bet Obama will be urged to change his mind.