Reflecting on the Threats of Nuclear War

China and Russia's Nuclear War Statement

Following a recent summit between China and Russia, a peculiar one-sentence statement was released by General Secretary Xi Jinping and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin: “There can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be fought.” This statement, although universally agreed upon, is somewhat hypocritical considering both governments have previously threatened nuclear attacks on their neighbors. The timing of this statement raises questions, especially given the current global rhetoric of mass annihilation, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.

Global Tensions and Nuclear Threats

Putin and Xi seem to believe they are achieving their goals in Ukraine and the South China Sea respectively. They perceive the only potential obstacle to their victories to be intervention from the U.S. and the NATO alliance, a conflict that could potentially escalate to nuclear threats. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un continues to threaten the use of his nuclear arsenal against South Korea or Japan. Similarly, Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, regularly threatens Armenians and occasionally warns Israelis and Greeks of potential missile attacks.

Iran's Aggression and the World's Reaction

For the first time in history, Iran attacked Israel's homeland, launching the largest wartime array of missiles and drones in modern history. Iran's theocrats claim they are close to producing nuclear weapons and have periodically promised to wipe Israel off the map. Despite these threats, most people dismiss them as mere bluster. However, the potential for mass destruction through nuclear weapons, chemical gases, biological agents, and artificial intelligence-driven delivery systems is real and terrifying.

The Balance of Nuclear Power

There are as many autocratic nuclear nations (Russia, China, Pakistan, North Korea, and potentially Iran) as there are democratic ones (U.S., Britain, France, Israel, and India). Only Israel has an effective anti-ballistic missile dome. As the conventional power of the West declines, it will have to rely more on a nuclear deterrent, despite having no effective missile defense of its homelands.

Learning from History

In the book, The End of Everything, four examples of annihilation are discussed: Thebes, Carthage, Constantinople, and Tenochtitlán. In each case, the targeted states believed their illustrious pasts and alliances would ensure their survival. However, they underestimated the ruthless killers outside their walls who sought to destroy rather than merely defeat them. Their cultures, customs, and traditions were lost to history. The last words of the conquered were usually variations of, “It can’t happen here.”

Preparing for the Future

History teaches us that we should take threats seriously, even if they seem outlandish. We cannot rely on friends or neutrals to save our civilization. Instead, we should secure our borders, ensure our military operates on meritocracy, stop excessive deficit spending and borrowing, and rebuild both our conventional and nuclear forces. Otherwise, we may find ourselves naively believing that we are exempt when the inconceivable becomes all too real.

Final Thoughts

This discussion raises thought-provoking questions about the current state of global politics and the potential for nuclear conflict. What are your thoughts on these issues? Do you think the threats of nuclear war are being taken seriously enough? Share this article with your friends and continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.