Zero Nukes How to Rid the World of Nuclear Weapons

No First Use

Howard W. Hallman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:39:28 +0000

We have a section on our website on no first use of nuclear weapons. It contains articles on this subject and linkage to other websites that deal with this issue. We invite your comments on these articles and other aspects of no first use.

De-alerting Nuclear Weapons

Howard W. Hallman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:01:27 +0000

On our website we have created a section on De-alerting Nuclear Weapons. It contains references to online articles, such as “De-alerting Strategic Weapons” by Bruce Blair, “De-alerting: Beyond Deterrence” by Howard Hallman, and others and a link to a report from the EastWest Institute on “Reframing Nuclear De-Alert”. Your comments are invited on these articles and other aspects of nuclear de-alerting.

Banning the Use of Nuclear Weapons

Howard W. Hallman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:45:04 +0000

In an article posted on our website, Dr. Jozef Goldblat argues that “the efforts to create a nuclear-weapon-free world are bound to remain fruitless as long as the use of nuclear weapons has not been universally and unreservedly banned.” He indicates, “A global ban on the use of nuclear weapons would reinforce the fire-break separating conventional and nuclear warfare. It would, thereby, diminish the risk of nuclear war and weaken the political force of explicit or implicit threats to initiate such a war….Furthermore, in discarding the war-fighting functions of nuclear weapons, the non-use posture would minimize the importance of nuclear superiority, whether quantitative or qualitative.” We invite your comments.

Extended Nuclear Deterrence: Time to Phase Out

Howard W. Hallman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:29:27 +0000

In our website we have an article on “Extended Nuclear Deterrence: Time to Phase Out.” We point out that through this doctrine the United States provides a “nuclear umbrella” to protect allies without nukes from nuclear attack. The doctrine is expressed in cold war treaties that apply to Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. Because there are no longer realistic nuclear threats to any of these nations, it is time to phase out the extended deterrence doctrine. We invite your comments.

Comments Invited

Howard W. Hallman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:42:34 +0000

This blog is established to accompany the website, www.zero-nukes.org, whose purpose is to facilitate discussion on how to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Here you may comment on articles on the website, respond to queries posted on this blog, respond to comments from others, and post your own issues. Please check below and in the Archive for issues already raised in this blog and then offer comments as you choose. You can also use this posting to make general comments about the website and the blog.

Case Against Nuclear Weapons

Howard W. Hallman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:38:21 +0000

On our website we make the “Case Against Nuclear Weapons.” We offer three moral reasons: religious opposition, science and ethics, and a de facto, 60+ year taboo; and three practical reasons: avoidance of disastrous effects, lack of military utility, and mutual interest of possessors in elimination. We invite your comments.

Useless Weapons

Howard W. Hallman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:22:36 +0000

In making the case against nuclear weapons Howard Hallman argues that nuclear weapons have no legitimate military use in the 21^st century. He points out that in the nearly 65 years since atomic bombs devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki no nation has used nuclear weapons for a military purpose. This has developed a de facto taboo against their use.

If you disagree and believe that there is a military use for nuclear weapons that would require the United States or any other possessor to break the 65 year taboo, please indicate by whom they would be used, on what target in which country, and under what circumstance.

Cold War Relics

Howard W. Hallman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:44:18 +0000

In a web article on Cold War Relics, Howard Hallman argues that nuclear weapons are outmoded holdovers from the Cold War. The United States, Russia, and other possessors are stuck with them, but they all have a mutual interest in total elimination. This can be accomplished by a step-by-step process involving no first use policy, de-alerting, separating warheads from delivery vehicles, and dismantlement. Your comments are invited.

The Nitze Challenge

Howard W. Hallman — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:22:40 +0000

Paul Nitze (1907-2004), considered a hawk for most of his career, in a 1999 New York Times op-ed article wrote “I can think of no circumstances under which it would be wise for the United States to use nuclear weapons, even in retaliation for their prior use against us.” He indicated, “In view of the fact that we can achieve our objectives with conventional weapons, there is no purpose to be gained through the use of our nuclear arsenal.” Therefore, Nitze concluded, “I see no compelling reason why we should not unilaterally get rid of our nuclear weapons. To maintain them is costly and adds nothing to our security.”

Do you agree or disagree with Paul Nitze? Please state your reasons.

U.S. and Russia Lead the Way to Zero Nukes

Howard W. Hallman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:24:50 +0000

This is a blog for U.S. and Russia Lead the Way to Zero Nukes: A Dream Fantasy by Howard W. Hallman that is posted on www.zero-nukes.org. It offers an imaginary conversation with U.S. President Barak Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on how they can provide dynamic leadership to rid the world of nuclear weapons that are archaic, cold war holders without military utility in the 21st century. Your comments are welcome.