are nuclear weapons truly a deterrent?

Answer 1

Nuclear weapons have certainly served as a deterrent to major war from the end of World War II until now. This is, at least in good part, because no country has been willing to risk being attacked in retaliation with the same kind of weapon.
I am not certain whether this deterrent effect will continue to work against terrorists who are willing to kill their own people along with defenseless civilians.

Answer 2

Not a single nuclear weapon has been used in anger since WW2. The reason is that no country wants to commit suicide .The use of such deadly weapons would be total anihilation for both countries and as more countries became involved the same thing would happen to then. They are truly an awesome deterrent

Answer 3

In some situations they are, in others, no. For example, if a foreign government rolled their tanks into Kuwait, would nuclear attack be a proper response? How about if they shot down an American spyplane flying near their border? How about if they launched rockets at American soldiers? You see, nuclear weapons are a deterrent against a nuclear attack but not always a deterent against a conventional attack. Realize that during the Cold War, we were fully prepared to use smaller tactical nuclear weapons (Davy Crockett, etc.) in response to non-nuclear attacks, but I don't think we would do that today.

Answer 4

I believe that there would have been war between the US, USSR, &/or China without the likelihood of worldwide nuclear destruction coming from such a war.

Also, do you really believe the situation in Pakistan would be allowed as it is if they did not have nuclear weapons? I don't.

Answer 5

Yes,because of the US doctrine called MAD:Mutually Assured Destruction.But if countries without the concern of human life;ie Muslim countries,have nukes,then the old policies no longer apply.

Answer 6

JUST AS A AIRCRAFT CARRIER IS IN OUR ARMED FORCES ARSENAL,NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE ARE FORM OF FORCE PROJECTION.YOU CAN MAKE A AGGRESSOR BLINK AND THINK TWICE OF HIS INTENTIONS.
THE RUSSIANS WERE HELD IN CHECK FOR 40 YRS .MAD AKA MUTUAL ASSURED DESTRUCTION KEEP THE RUSSIANS FROM EVER USING THEIR NUKES ON ANY NATO COUNTRY.WE PARKED A CARRIER OFF OF LABIA AND MOMAR BACKED OFFHIS CLAIMS TO MEDITERRANEAN SEA WAYS.
JUST CAUSE YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE IT DOESN T MEAN YOU HAVE TO OR SHOULD.THREAT OF A SPANKING WILL USUALLY STOP A SPOILED CHILD IN HIS STEPS.

Answer 7

lets put it this way
would you break in to the front door of a house if the redneck owner was setting with a loaded shotgun aimed a the front door hopeing for someone to break in.