A year or so ago, I gave my undergrad engineers a homework prompt: How many nuclear weapons does the US need to feel secure?
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The answers varied. Some liked the status quo — a few thousand. Some thought you could go down to a few hundred, per UK/France/China.
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Some thought you could go down to a dozen or so. A few thought maybe zero, but most thought a non-zero number sounded more realistic.
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Literally none of them would have said "10X the current number." Not because I'm oppressive. Because it's *stupid.* https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-wanted-dramatic-increase-nuclear-arsenal-meeting-military-leaders-n809701 …
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Because it would indicate a fragility the United States does not have. Because they recognize that Russia would feel compelled to match.
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Because they recognize that there are costs and risks. Because they recognize that this is a policy question, not a penis-measuring contest.
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The good news here is that literally nobody in the military or government probably thinks that a 10X increase is feasible or a good idea.
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Replying to @wellerstein
Neither does
#Trump! You should do Your homework Prof, before you lecture your undergrads.1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Replying to @CountFuqua
I am glad that Trump has denied the accounts and affirmed he doesn't think it's necessary. I'm not sure he didn't originally say it,
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but I'm glad he's not doubled down on a bad idea. My Tweets were from before he talked more about it. I have "done my homework." But thanks.
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