How come Pakistan and India could develop and even test their nuclear bombs without the prior knowledge of the US? Not to say the least, Pakistan's govt. is a military dictatorship. Do you believe the fact that it took the US by surprise? If, on the other hand, they did know about it, then why didn't they beat the tom-tom drums then, as they are doing in the case of Iran and N. Korea now?
2006-07-14 02:06:51 · 9 answers · asked by philip y 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I would say that they knew that they were building nucular weapons and didnt say much because although militairistic pakistan and india are "traditionally" non confrontational(execpt with each other) and they dont willingly harbor and support terrorism. and n korea and iran both have ties to terrorist groups and support and fund them the leaders of their countries are phyco almost as psyco a hitler was when it comes to what they might do with with WMD.
2006-07-14 02:16:23 · answer #1 · answered by walstib_710 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The U.S. was aware of the Pakistani nuclear program, we just didn't do much about nor it wasn't a 'good idea at the time'. Pakistan's nuclear program was mainly built by China in the late 1970s-mid 1980s. Khan of course lead the project. The U.S. did not halt the development nor put any pressure on Pakistan at the time because we needed Pakistan's alliance in the Soviet-Afghanistan war, which lasted 1979-1989. Pakistan was the base for mujahdeen forces, supported by the U.S., and CIA operatives. Much of Pakistan's nuclear force was developed by that time. Once the Afghan war concluded, the U.S. under Bush I slapped sanctions on Pakistan to halt development, but by that time it was irrelevant since Pakistan had all of their needed material. They tested their bomb in 1998. Of course, when the U.S. needed Pakistan's support against the Taliban, "all was forgiven" in a sense. Sanctions were lifted, and we even sold Pakistan F-16s.
In short, we knew about it, didn't do anything about it, beacuse we needed their alliance to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. A classic case of proxy war.
2006-07-14 03:01:40 · answer #2 · answered by vswami05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not bothered about countries without oil resources would be a good guess. I would think that history have made the yanks nervous about Korea and Iran.
2006-07-14 02:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by Print Monkey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be far more concerned at the israel's having nukes than india, pakistan, iran or north korea
2006-07-14 03:27:55 · answer #4 · answered by f e j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's simple...don't underestimate iran or india...they outsmarted amerika and that's the reason amerika didn't find out that they were creating nuclear weapons...who knows if it would have continued and if they would have fired those nukes...
2006-07-20 22:43:50 · answer #5 · answered by batista_the_animal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the usa has got yes men in these nations for a purpose, spies, and intelligence. so usa say to them have nukes but be dont silly with them.the others are not afraid of usa ,so thier attitude is go and stick your friendliness where the sun dont shine.
2006-07-14 05:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by steven e 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It took them awhile to convince the world that invasion without any provocation is OK.
2006-07-14 02:10:21 · answer #7 · answered by scruffy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Great question!!
Really does scare me,
Hope we can sort it out!!
Cheers!!
2006-07-14 02:10:21 · answer #8 · answered by East Bay Punk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a very deep and cosidered question. When you get the answer let me know please. thanks
2006-07-14 02:20:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋