Antinuclear

an Australia hosting Marines may come to look like a juicier target for Chinese defense planners….The next question will be, if North Korea and China have nuclear weapons, why not us?

Global Zero may quickly turn to Global Many.

How many nuclear-armed countries does Obama want in Asia?, FP By Daniel Blumenthal , November 29, 2011 – Of course President Obama does not want any more nuclear powers in Asia. But his policies are hastening that reality. Why? First “global zero” and deep cuts in conventional forces are both tempting Beijing to up its nuclear arsenal and giving allies pause about our “extended deterrent.” Second, Obama has continued the Bush and Clinton policies that have allowed North Korea to become a nuclear power……

 we are getting close to a worst-case scenario in Asia. We are tempting Beijing to increase its strategic arsenal. As mentioned, China has no treaty limits on nuclear weapons or their delivery systems. At the same time, with our AirSea battle concept, we talk more openly about conventional strikes on the mainland to shut down a Chinese attack. Even if we had the conventional capability to hit targets in China that would have a strategic effects, this approach could lead toward more nuclear weapons in China. If I were a Chinese strategist, I would look at every option to negate the consequences of a massive conventional strike on my homeland – I would build a more robust nuclear arsenal. And apparently that is what China is doing …..

China has every incentive to add to its arsenal. And, without a nuclear, conventional, or missile defense answer, our allies must be growing nervous. According to a State Department report cited  by my colleagues Tom Donnelly and David Trachtenburg, “[t]here is clear evidence in diplomatic channels that U.S. assurances to include the nuclear umbrella have been, and continue to be, the single most important reason many allies have foresworn nuclear weapons.”…..

With the fraying credibility of a U.S. nuclear or overbearing conventional capability, an Australia hosting Marines may come to look like a juicier target for Chinese defense planners. In terms of deterrence, the question may cease to be whether we will trade Taipei for Los Angeles. Instead allies may ask, why host U.S. troops if Washington does not have a credible extended deterrent? The next question will be, if North Korea and China have nuclear weapons, why not us?

Global Zero may quickly turn to Global Many.

http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/11/29/how_many_nuclear_armed_countries_does_obama_want_in_asia