Asymmetry: D isn't M any more, but it certainly is A.

[gedhrel]

From the Guardian (and elsewhere), a position paper on NATO. What an excellent quote:

"The first use of nuclear weapons must remain in the quiver of escalation as the ultimate instrument to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction."

Let's have that once again.

"The first use of nuclear weapons must remain in the quiver of escalation as the

Comments

[andygates]

Wuh? That's just gibberish!

I love the idea that the West will consider Israel's fuel blockade to be dastardly collective punishment, but it's fine to keep the quivering escalation of collectively vaporising a city in retaliation.

Le chortle.

[simoneck]

>>If you're reading this from a NATO member state then you're more likely to die in a road accident than in a terrorist attack. But let's just be clear on that:

Well, you could take the view point that the chances of dying would be much higher if the evil terrorist supply Iran starts shipping nukes out to Hamas etc.
(Though I'd have N.Korea or Pakistan as much more likely places for Islamic terrorist nukes to come from for quite some time).

>>For fuck's sake.

but those were pretty much my thoughts when I read that article.

[gedhrel]

Exactly - they're talking about nuking Iran's reactors. Or possibly just cutting the costs of asymmetric warfare by toasting the next Fallujah from over the horizon. Not that that actually _takes_ nukes.

Their other points included, "you don't get to veto us nuking people unless you're playing too", which puts massive economic pressure on NATO members to be hawkish.

Oh well, as long as NATO's quiver is full.

[andygates]

Anyone else get the feeling that NATO feels a bit ignored and neglected, what with the EU expansion and US unilateralism and all eyes on the Middle East?

"Hey guys? Guys! I've still got nukes! I'm still cool! Guys?"