After decades of deliberate ambiguity about the exact numbers of nuclear weapons, we tell all. Not sure that's a good idea. I certainly have my doubts that other countries will be a truthful.

 

Washington (CNN) -- The United States has 5,113 nuclear warheads in its stockpile and many thousands more that have been retired and are awaiting dismantling, according to a senior defense official.

 

The release of the number of warheads marks only the second time in U.S. history the government has released the once top secret information.

 

The Pentagon statistics show the nuclear stockpile was reduced by 75 percent between the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and September 30, 2009, and 84 percent since its peak of more than 31,255 in 1967.

 

The 5,113 warheads include active and inactive ones, according to the senior defense official.

 

The numbers released Monday also include yearly statistics on the strategic long-range and nonstrategic short-range weapons dating back to 1962. Previously released information on the stockpile size showed the number of warheads from 1945 through 1961.

 

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Why is the exact number an issue? If we had two, I'd understand. As it is, we have enough to destroy any enemy that we would choose to.

We're probably sandbagging. I think the number is really 5,115.

An "inactive warhead"? Something seems wrong with that description.

An "inactive warhead"? Something seems wrong with that description.

 

Jumbo shrimp

Race walking

Business ethics

Compassionate conservative

The first step in neutralizing the weapons of an adversary is to know how many weapons your adversary has.

 

This is another example of Obama chipping away at what is in his mind the immoral and illegitimate power that the US possesses.

The first step in neutralizing the weapons of an adversary is to know how many weapons your adversary has.

 

This is another example of Obama chipping away at what is in his mind the immoral and illegitimate power that the US possesses.

:thumb: It does give potential enemies an advantage.

 

Anyone else see, say Iran, using that number to argue against any sanctions for its its own development of nuclear weapons? Just a thought.

The release of the exact number of US nuclear warheads does not or will not affect the security of the US.

How exactly does a definitive answer, as opposed to a 4000-6000 weapon guess give "the enemy" a disadvantage?

After decades of deliberate ambiguity about the exact numbers of nuclear weapons, we tell all. Not sure that's a good idea. I certainly have my doubts that other countries will be a truthful.

 

 

 

Link

 

I agree, but then, we might not be telling the truth either.

The release of the exact number of US nuclear warheads does not or will not affect the security of the US.

 

Then why release the information? Someone help with the "angle", if there is one.

The release of the exact number of US nuclear warheads does not or will not affect the security of the US.

Whew, I can sleep better at night now that I have your guarantee.

Then why release the information? Someone help with the "angle", if there is one.

 

 

Well, the same could be asked of the reason NOT to release the information.

 

Personally, I consider 1 plenty. All the rest is really just extraneous.

Well, the same could be asked of the reason NOT to release the information.

 

Personally, I consider 1 plenty. All the rest is really just extraneous.

If you have 1 and your enemy has 6000 to 8000, you might as well disarm your one.

If you have 1 and your enemy has 6000 to 8000, you might as well disarm your one.

 

Seriously...what difference does it make. It only takes one.