The China Puzzle, Part
1
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano
According to information compiled by The Brookings Institute, our national defense, on paper, appears quite sound. In 1997, America had a total of 12,500 nuclear warheads stockpiled (8,750 active, 2,500 hedge/contingency, and another 1,250 awaiting disassembly). We currently have 80 SSNs (attack submarine, designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships) and 18 SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines armed with long-range strategic missiles). Our army stands 1.2 million strong. And, as par for the course, we still have pockets of extreme financial waste; between October 1992 and October 1995, the Department of Energy reportedly spent a whopping $1.2 trillion on "nuclear testing"; however, according to Brookings, a total number of "0" tests were performed during this time frame.
Also included in our nuclear arsenal is the W88/Mk-5, an intermediate yield strategic SLBM MIRV, typically used with Trident II. Originally conceived in March of 1984 at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, the first "production units" were finished by September of 1988. What makes the W88 so appealing is it's compact design (typically only 68.9 inches in length, 21.8 inches in diameter, and we ighing under 800 lbs.) and accuracy (to within roughly 350 feet). This tiny package yields a significant payload of 475 Kilotons. America reportedly has 400 in service.
With firepower like this, what do we have to fear?
A lot.
If we can develop these WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction), other countries can, too. If we can use these WMD to defend or promote our interests, other countries can, too. We may be the world's super-power, but we are not its only power.
If the threat of dropping one of these warheads can scare a small time despot into submission, imagine how an America would feel if one was dropped in her back yard? We may not cower in submission, but the country will never be the same.
The American military understands this, and monitors threatening foreign countries around the world to track their nuclear capabilities and proliferation acquisitions.
Sadly, some American politicians do not understand, or have chosen to ignore, this simple reality. Beginning under President Bush, and escalating rapidly under President Clinton, we have, for a number of years, been engaged in a policy of "arms reduction." We've entered into a several international treaties to ensure a "more peaceful world." Concurrently, we have engaged in a policy of military reduction, of military acquisitions reduction, of sharing military technology with other countries, and of "engagement."
Engaging in a policy of "engagement"?
No, that is not double-speak. That is a rather innocent term for an altogether irresponsible policy of "coddling" butchers, like the Chinese Government.
Our government repeatedly assures us that China is our friend, that we must keep the lines of communication open and strengthen our relations for the new millenium. Meanwhile, this same government continues to ignore repeated and brutal human rights violations, skewed trade relations contracts, money laundering, espionage, and attempts to subvert our military superiority. In the words of John Pike, Director, Space Policy Project, Federation of American Scientists,"Over time our current engagement initiatives may fail, and despite our best efforts we may in the 21st Century confront security challenges from China that may rival those posed by the Soviet Union" (House Rules Committee Hearing on the Creation of a Select Committee on US National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People's Republic of China, House of Representatives, 16 June 1998).
When all the pieces are put into place, the resulting picture is frightening, indeed. Our government's ability to ignore all of these warning signs, to not recognize the "big picture," is either blissfully ignorant naiveté, unfounded optimism in the face of all evidence, or collusion, plain and simple.
Related Information:
COPYRIGHT © 1999 - 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.