WW3/4

[Cyborg]

I just read that israel got h bombs too :(

[Dunenewt]

Probably Anti-Sematic propaganda. because I doubt it very much

[Cyborg]

Yep. It might or might not.

I just hope they don't

As for Iraq. I hope, for bush's sake, that if he looses the war, he don't have any nuclear missiles to release...

[Dunenewt]

Saddam and nukes...he would be so overcome with joy he would forget which button to press...

"Its the big red one!"

[VigilVirus]

Britain has about 100 nukes, france - 200. China has a little over 600. Pitiful amounts compared to US and Russia.

Israel does bot have thermonuclear weapons. I doubt that they even have constructed nuclear bombs - but they do have weapons grade plutonium.

[Dunenewt]

Britain has more than that. Their submarine fleet have the trident missiles i mentioned earlier

[Vanguard3000]

Which hopefully won't be too long.Alpha Centauri B here i come (which is the *home* of Ecaz in the Dune books)

I would shoot for Alpha Centauri C (Proxima) - B and A are a binary star system. If somehow a planet did come to exist there, it wouldn't support life.

By the way, in the early 70's, Canada had nuclear missiles called Bomarc Missiles, to replace the costly AVRO Arrow. But we scrapped them, just like we did the Arrow.

[GhostHunter]

The human race wouldn't be killed by their own nukes for a few reasons:

1) We are not that pathetic and stupid as to kill our whole race

2) We created the bombs, HUMANS did, thus some would think of a way to survive

3) If WWIII Does happen which I doubt it will until we truley are in space there will be enough advanced weapons by then to shoot down any nukes.

[VigilVirus]

"The nuclear power club

There are five countries who have admitted to having nuclear weapons and signed the NPT and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans nuclear test explosions.

United States Set off first nuclear blast in 1945. Conducted over 1,030 tests. Arsenal of about 12,070 warheads. Missile range of 8,100 miles.

Russia First test in 1949. Conducted 715 tests in total. Arsenal of about 28,240 warheads - but an estimated 18,000 of these are awaiting dismantlement or in reserve. Missile range of 6,800 miles

Britain First test in 1952. Conducted 45 tests in total. Arsenal of about 400 warheads. Missile range of 7,500 miles.

France First test in 1960. Arsenal of about 510 warheads. Missile range of 3,300 miles.

China First test in 1964. Conducted 45 tests, and helped Pakistan develop its nuclear capabilities. Arsenal of about 425 warheads. Missile range of 6,800 miles.

New nuclear states

India and Pakistan both exploded nuclear devices in 1998, openly declaring themselves to be nuclear powers.

Unlike the other nuclear powers, neither country has signed the CTBT or the NPT, and they are therefore not considered to be official nuclear states by the original five nuclear powers. "

400, not a lot more.

[ordos45]

Israel is an undeclared nuclear nation. This means, while almost everyone is sure they have nuclear weapons, they do not publicly acknowledge this to be so. However, several historians suspect, if the Barak Brigade had not held in the Yom Kippur War, Israel would have used nuclear force to repel the Syrian and Egyptian troops.

(Yom Kippur War...for those of you who have read or watched the movie version of "Sum of All Fears" will know this war from the beginning of it. Indeed, Tom Clancy did thorough research into the war when deciding to have an Israeli jet shot down with a nuclear bomb.)

As for the US and Russia...well, can't disband all those weapons we build during the Cold War all at once. (Btw, first Hydrogen Bomb test...left a 50 mile in diameter area completely decimated.)

[VigilVirus]

if the Barak Brigade had not held in the Yom Kippur War, Israel would have used nuclear force to repel the Syrian and Egyptian troops.

Do you really think they would be that stupid? The first country (exculding US's attack on Japan) that launches a nuclear attack has a 0% chance of making it out alive, cause it will be bombarded by the rest.

[ordos45]

Do you really think they would be that stupid? The first country (exculding US's attack on Japan) that launches a nuclear attack has a 0% chance of making it out alive, cause it will be bombarded by the rest.

I think that intellect goes out the window when faced with the complete destruction of your nation. Humans have a deep routed survival instinct. Most likely Israel would not have been destroyed though, Jerusalem is too holy to the followers of the Muslim faith (aka most of the population of Arab nations). It is the city where the Prophet Muhammed ascended to Heaven upon a cloud.

[VigilVirus]

Which brings me to my next point. Wouldn't forever nuking Jerusalem solve all problems? ;) ::)

[Acriku]

No, that would just really piss everybody off, and make the pope croak.

[lowzeewee]

bows and arrows"

nah......fremen knife,ornithopters,fletcheette pistols ;)

[Anathema]

Belziel, those numbers you gave us are the total number of nukes, including tactical ones (smaller nukes). If you only count strategical nukes (meant for large scale destruction), the US would have little more then 6,000 and Russia about the same, while China has about 400 and Israel about 200.

[VigilVirus]

What makes you say that I should not count tactical nukes? They can be easily dropped from bomber planes and be as effective as strategic.

[Caid Ivik]

Strategical weapons are those, able to destroy quickly anything on world. Intercontinental missiles in silos or subs are capable of it. We should count here also bombers and ships with long range cruise missiles, but then are all US Navy subs strategic, because every Tomahawk can carry it. Tactical nuke has little range, less than 500 km. There must be a vehicle capable of penetrating into enemy ground and release the weapon here. Warheads are mostly smaller, but still able to destroy medium sized town.

Using tactical nukes won't destroy the world. Altough psychological use of "holy nuke" would. I hope we won't need it. Also today no country has such army, against which you need arm every assault plane with nuke. Only using against large naval fleets. That's why USA are pushing on North Korea. If they'll put nuclear torpedoes on their subs, pacific fleet would see next Pearl Harbor once. And today's torpedo isn't little tube with funny propeler quick as 10 knots - russian Skval is fast close to Mach 1 due to air bubble and jet engine, also can be fired from 30 km range. Nuclear warhead makes also no need to aim.

[Dude_Doc]

I heard Bush was ready to use a nuke should the future (if there will be one) war fail or something...

[Mahdi]

Bush would be willing to drop his daddy on Saddam, if he didn't think he needed him to buy another election.