A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from splitting atoms. Because the long-lived nuclear material used is then spread into the surrounding area, it is considered the most devastating weapon of war known to mankind. Use this tag to discuss the politics of obtaining them and using them in diplomacy
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from splitting atoms. These weapons generally use Plutonium, a radioactive metal almost always derived from the usage of uranium in what are known as heavy-water reactors. Civilian reactors tend to be light-water reactors, which do not produce Plutonium.
Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction, and have been used twice in war, both times by the United States against Japan. Other notable political uses of nuclear weapons include
- The Cuban Missle Crisis - The soviet-union put ballistic nuclear missiles on cuba to antagonize the United States. This marked a peak in cold-war tensions (with both countries set to wipe each other out with nuclear strikes) until the missiles were finally removed. To prevent anything similar from happening, the United States and USSR agreed to create what became known as the nuclear hotline, which allows direct diplomatic access between the two countries.
- iraq - In 1981, Iraq was building a French nuclear reactor. Israel, in Operation Opera, bombed the incomplete reactor to prevent Iraq from obtaining nuclear materials they feared could be used in a nuclear weapon
- north-korea - Despite diplomatic promises to not develop nuclear weapons, North Korea has developed them and is actively testing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States
- iran - The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (jcpoa) was drafted and implemented by then President barack-obama as a way to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The plan has been criticized as being too lax.
