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Vasili Arkhipov

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Re: Vasili Arkhipov

#51

Post by ekianjo »

dredmorbius wrote: post #35
ekianjo wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It still is. Most nations' Commanders in Chief (i.e. the Presidents) have the power to order a nuke launch by themselves. Of course they have advisers and so on, but that does not mean they have less of a power.

Under US protocols, only the President can authorize the use of nuclear weapons, however the Secretary of Defense must also approve the use.

> Under US protocols.

I wasn't only talking about the US. There are many other countries in the world who own nukes and where their usage protocol is different.

Re: Vasili Arkhipov

#52

Post by dredmorbius »

ekianjo wrote: post #51
dredmorbius wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Under US protocols, only the President can authorize the use of nuclear weapons, however the Secretary of Defense must also approve the use.

> Under US protocols. I wasn't only talking about the US. There are many other countries in the world who own nukes and where their usage protocol is different.

Interesting factoid: The US made it's PAL (permissive access link) technology available to other nuclear powers, including enemies in order that they could secure their weapons against unauthorized use.

Which makes everyone better off.

Re: Vasili Arkhipov

#53

Post by ekianjo »

dredmorbius wrote: post #52
ekianjo wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Under US protocols. I wasn't only talking about the US. There are many other countries in the world who own nukes and where their usage protocol is different.

Interesting factoid: The US made it's PAL (permissive access link) technology available to other nuclear powers, including enemies in order that they could secure their weapons against unauthorized use. Which makes everyone better off.

How many are using their technology as well, then ?

Re: Vasili Arkhipov

#54

Post by elementai »

ekianjo wrote: post #22
arbuge wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is also a scary thought that a decision on nuclear war was/is in the hands of a few individuals.

It still is. Most nations' Commanders in Chief (i.e. the Presidents) have the power to order a nuke launch by themselves. Of course they have advisers and so on, but that does not mean they have less of a power.

And then there are stories that automated systems have this power too, like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Hand_%28nuclear_war%29
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