More On Nuclear Retaliation

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As I was perusing the interwebbynets reading news items, I ran across the interview with SecDef Gates and SecState Clinton. During the interview, when asked to clarify the United States response to an attack by a foreign aggressor, the Secretaries were kind enough to state the following:

“We were concerned about the biological weapons,” Gates said, “and that’s why the president was very clear … if we see states developing biological weapons that we begin to think endanger us or create serious concerns, that he reserves the right to revise this policy.”

Clinton added, “If we can prove that a biological attack originated in a country that attacked us, then all bets are off.”

Just want to make sure I have this correct... The policy as I understand it is clarified by these remarks from President Obama:

"We are taking specific and concrete steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons while preserving our military superiority, deterring aggression and safeguarding the security of the American people," Obama said in remarks issued by the White House.

The United States for the first time is forswearing use of atomic weapons against non-nuclear countries, a break with a Bush-era threat of nuclear retaliation in the event of a biological or chemical attack.

But this comes with a major condition. Those countries would be spared a U.S. nuclear response only if they are in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran and North Korea would thus not be protected.

"If there is a message for Iran and North Korea here, it is ... if you're not going to play by the rules, if you're going to be a proliferator, then all options are on the table in terms of how we deal with you," U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters.

So if you attack us with biological weapons, then we are going to attack with nuclear weapons, right Secretary Clinton? Or we're not going to attack with nuclear weapons, President Obama? Keep in mind, these are the people with their finger on the button. I can just imagine what the order to respond to a biological attack would look like.

So now that our retaliation procedure has been clarified, millions of Americans can sleep more soundly at night. Then I ran across this article where Obama claims that Al-Qaeda is actively trying to acquire a nuclear weapon. When this guy claimed something similar he was branded a liar, wonder what'll happen to Obama? So we know that a sworn enemy who has vowed to wipe our culture off the face of the planet is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. However, we're committed to reducing the number of nuclear weapons we currently have and we're setting a firm date for withdrawal in the only theater where we are actively engaged in a military conflict with that enemy. Makes sense to me.

Meanwhile we're snubbing our (formerly) closest ally in the middle-east. This administration sure has restored our standing in the world. They all love us now! We truly are blessed to have this kind of level-headed leadership in Washington!

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Nuclear Retaliation

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Every time the President opens his mouth, we get a slap-in-the-face reminder of how brilliant he really is. Every sentence is masterly crafted, with every word perfectly pronounced. Every action of this administration is so well planned.

Anyway, while being interviewed by the witty George Stephanopoulos, Obama had some harsh words for those critical of his decision to take a nuclear strike off the table as a retaliatory response against a foreign aggressor. Stephanopoulos questioned the President on a quote from Sarah Palin in which she stated that taking nuclear retaliation off the table was comparable to a kid on the playground saying 'punch me in the face, I'm not going to retaliate.' When asked for his response, Obama said, "“I really have no response to that. The last I checked, Sarah Palin is not much of an expert on nuclear issues...” Obama went on to say, “What I would say to [...critics] is, is that if the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff are comfortable with it, I’m probably going to take my advice from them and not from Sarah Palin.” Barack Obama, as we all know, is an expert on nuclear issues.

The question then arises, are the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs comfortable with it? In a speech delivered on October 30, 2008 SecDef Robert Gates said:

"There is no way to ignore efforts by rogue states such as North Korea and Iran to develop and deploy nuclear weapons, or Russian or Chinese strategic modernization programs. As long as other states have or seek nuclear weapons – and potentially can threaten us, our allies, and friends – then we must have a deterrent capacity that makes it clear that challenging the United States in the nuclear arena – or with other weapons of mass destruction – could result in an overwhelming, catastrophic response…

Our nuclear arsenal also helps deter enemies from using chemical and biological weapons. In the first Gulf War, we made it very clear that if Saddam used chemical or biological weapons, then the United States would keep all options on the table. We later learned that this veiled threat had the intended deterrent effect as Iraq considered its options.

While some may not see a real nuclear threat to the United States today, we should be mindful that our friends and allies perceive different levels of risk within their respective regions. Here, our arsenal plays an irreplaceable role in reducing proliferation."

Obviously there is just a minor miscommunication between the SecDef and President Obama. I'm sure they'll have it worked out in no time. The nation is confident in the President's ability to lead. We have elected the right man for the job.

HT: Hot Air

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