why does the u.s. critize other countries about nuclear weapons when it has the most nukes in the world?

Answer 1

That is somewhat of a "loaded question" that depends a lot on your political views.

The U.S. has always viewed more countries getting Nuclear weapons as a threat for obvious reasons.

Some will tell you that the U.S. desires to maintain global hegemony - a position of world leadership, something that Noam Chompsky has talked about in many different books. Try reading "Hegemony or Survival."

Others will tell you (and I don't think anyone would disagree) that the U.S. has nuclear weapons as a deterrent. No one will attack us, because if they do, we may end up using Nukes. No one wants that. It's the M.A.D. doctrine - mutually assured destruction. If one country with nukes attacks another country with nukes, both countries end up blown back to the stone age.... undesirable for both countries.

I don't think anyone on the right of left would say we have Nuclear weapons to actually use them. What people disagree about today is whether or not the U.S. SHOULD police the world, and maintain a role of global leadership. Is it our responsibility as a free nation, or just another form of imperialism? Not an easy question to answer. No doubt about it though, possessing the amount of Nuclear weapons we have, which your right, we have more than anyone else combined (except Russia), gives us a lot of power.

So why do we get upset when other countries develop them? Facing the facts, N. Korea does not have the cleanest track record for human rights or diplomacy. Iran's president has claimed repeatedly that the Holocaust never happened. Iran has also advocated "wiping Israel off the map." People who advocate wiping countries off the map probably shouldn't have nukes. I'm guessing that's why we aren't too happy about them getting Nuclear weapons. The U.S. has always maintained it would be best if we had a Nuclear monopoly... meaning we're the only one with Nukes. No one will argue that. We see ourselves as peacekeeping force that will only use Nukes as a very last resort. We have to question whether or not this is true - it depends on your political viewpoints. Chances are both sides are partially right. Basically we know that we are the "good guy." We don't know how other countries will use nukes if they develop them.

Another reason is the fact that we are a stable country. Relatively little political instability in this country in comparison with many others. Our nukes are safe where they are, no one is getting to them. We spend a lot of money to protect this Nuclear weapons. Other countries who have Nukes are not so secure. Many nations within the former Soviet Union, including Russia herself have been criticized for the security of their Nuclear weapons and radioactive material. In what has been called "the age of terrorism" security is essential - what if 9/11 was a 20 megaton Nuclear explosion in downtown New York? There are several pounds of M.U.F. (Material Unaccounted For) every year. Obviously there is a demand for the stuff, as our good friend Kim Jung Il has proven.

It's been said "Don't fear the man who wants 10 nuclear weapons - fear the man who wants 1." If you only want one nuclear weapon, that's not going to stop any wars.... it means you have a very specific target in mind. Sorta like a gun loaded with only one bullet.

Few people would disagree that it would be best if no one had nuclear weapons - but what is debatable is whether or not they are a necessity in today's world. That's where you have to make the value judgment.

What I think is irrelevant, but that's the argument.

For numbers as of the year 2000 of who has how many nukes, check this out:

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Almanac/Stockpiles.shtml

Answer 2

Since the end of the cold-war, nuclear powers have been working to reduce their nuclear arsenals and abiding by rules set forth by various treaties. Rogue nations like N. Korea and Iran building these weapons threaten world peace in a very terrible way.

Answer 3

Because the United States has made so many enemies over the years they are afraid that one of these country's would use the bomb against it. It makes no sense though because any country crazy enough to launch a first strike would be reduced to nothing.

Answer 4

Because we used them only to end a war (and may do so again). Our allies have never used them.

Our enemies threaten to use them to destroy either us or our friends. Remember "wipe them off the map?" It wasn't GW who said that.

Answer 5

Because the U.S. isn't threatening to blow its neighbors off the face of the earth.

Answer 6

Because those other countries are terrorist countries, that will use them in an offensive manner, not defensive.

Answer 7

most will answer, other country's will use it, proof is only the USA ever used it