10.19.2004

Nuclear weapons?

Following up on our discussion in class today, here's a list by the Federation of American Scientists of what countries have or may have nuclear weapons.

The haves are: US, Russia, China, UK, France, India, Pakistan, Israel

The developing are/were: Iran, Iraq, North Korea

The "possibles" are: Algeria, Chechnya, Cuba, Lybia, Serbia, Sudan, Syria

The developing-at-one-time (and possibly still/again): Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Egypt, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Rumania, Ukraine. On another site, I also saw Sweden & Switzerland. Also, Germany was developing during WW2. But, of course, no one really knows, since nuclear programs are highly secretive ones.

3 Comments:

Melanie said...

Brazil's atomic facilities have come under the investigation of the IAEA recently.
Here is some background information:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/20/international/americas/20brazil.html?oref=login&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1098252281-bY01cjZz6M9xaSZ+NTuQ2Q

2:07 AM  
Lexxi C said...

I really feel like all of this is dangerous. I hate the idea of nuclear weapons. I wouldn't really be an advocate of the United States getting rid of them because 1) I know we never ever would and 2) even if we did everyone else wouldn't and then we'd be unarmed and a healthy target, but I think the problem is getting out of hand and there really isn't a lot that can be done about it. Then technology is discovered, and it's here to stay. When there is knowledge of how to do something, and there is intent people are capable of doing anything no matter what kind of blocks you throw up. And the biggest thing preventing us from stopping nuclear proliferation I believe is the fear of starting a nuclear war in order to prevent nuclear war. Eventually anyone with the means and the knowledge to have them will obtain them.

3:44 PM  
David Reynolds said...

That seems to be the standard way mankind operates: we acquire knowledge before wisdom. The scientists working on the Manhattan Project could never have envisioned the ramifications of the weapons they were creating; most didn't even know precisely what they were developing. But alas, nuclear technology is here, and will be. Developing countries view it as a trump card in negotiations. It is a bargaining device as much as it is an offensive/defensive weapon.

10:07 PM  

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