70th anniversary of atomic bombing of Hiroshima

[Stealhead]

ikalugin;2334378]Let the nuclear weapons be perfect weapons - the weapons so terrifying that they are never used.[/QUOTE]

Our sides came within a breath a few times. 1983 was extremely close closer than the Cuban Missile Crisis. I can't recall the Soviet missile commanders name who revived the launch alerts but felt certain that they where incorrect and did not send the alert further. He was right it was not Minute Man missiles but the sun rays fooling the satellite. He based his choice on the fact that he felt the US would launch a full strike and not a handful and on the fact that he had previously seen the detection glitch before.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

I can't recall the Soviet missile commanders name who revived the launch alerts but felt certain that they where incorrect and did not send the alert further.

Lieutenant colonel Stanislav Petrov.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_S...alarm_incident

[Stealhead]

Yes that's him he got fired for not not accidentally nuking everyone. Some jobs sheesh.
On some TV interview he said "I was the little bird getting ..... on by the big bird."

[ikalugin]

Meanwhile, French discuss if they should keep their nuclear deterent, British one escaped possible cuts, USN SSBN program is in the funding bind, everyone else is expanding their nuclear forces as much as they could.

Did I miss anything?

[Wolferz]

It is sad that those weapons even needed to be created but, a stubborn foe kind of forces the issue.

sigh..
.alas, sometimes the only way to deal with a bully is to punch his lights out.

[Jimbuna]

I suppose it could be claimed MAD has prevented a WWIII....thus far.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I suppose it could be claimed MAD has prevented a WWIII....thus far.

Well, a direct confrontation between two nuclear possessing superpowers, although India and Pakistan have had their clashes.

In regards to WWIII, I'd say that we're in one right now in a manner of speaking.