http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/03/15/world/europe/ap-eu-russia-crimea.html?_r=0
So Putin says he was ready to use Russia's nuclear weapons if the situation in Crimea had gotten out of his control. I can't help but wonder if he really is that crazy or is he just making these big statements to demonstrate his power and intentions to the leaders of the Western world and bragging about Russia's power in current times.
Also the whole situation in Crimea is arguably eerily similar to when Hitler annexed Austria before the World War, both the reasoning and the methods used.
The notion of nuclear weapons as deterrence to war is merely a lie nations tell. Putin is very much capable of using Russia's nuclear weapons, I don't think he has a reason not to use them as a threat and not to use them if Russia is threatened. Although I really hope it never happens.
ReplyDeleteI really do not think it is a "lie". It has worked in the past and it might work in the future. We better hope it works or else...i do not even want to think of the destruction. Also i doubt that Putin would have used Russia's nuclear arsenal over a small place like Crimea. He is showing off in my opinion.
DeleteI concur with Rida. It's Putin being Putin. He bluffs and takes a Bush-esque tough guy approach to the world. No way Russia would use nukes, especially over as irrelevant of an issue as Crimea.
ReplyDeleteAlso, MAD has worked in practice (so far...). Not sure how you can claim it is a lie Hamzah?
And if we're being brutally honest, the most likely place nuclear weapons could be used is in the Subcontinent. If Pakistan ever got into a really sticky bind, the military might resort to the use of nuclear weapons, at least of the tactical nuclear variety.
basically putin uses his authority to say such rhetoric. in reality, it is just no more than the words. the pressures of structurres and external forces cannot never allow him to do such a destructive action. this is why we see nuclear nation not using this weapon because they know the consequences of it over them.
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