Paying countries to develop nuclear weapons

Posted by Marc Hodak on July 9, 2008 under Unintended consequences | Read the First Comment

For most countries, R&D is a major cost. The U.S., Russia, France, and other members of the “nuclear club” spent a ton of money to get there. Korea and Iran have now shown non-nuclear nations around the world how to actually get the wealthy countries to fund their nuclear R&D.

1) Spend lots and lots of money on nuclear enrichment
2) Convince other world leaders that you’re batshit crazy

That second piece is important. It makes people take seriously the idea that you might use them.

Here is how civilized nations will react:

“Iran’s development of ballistic missiles is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and completely inconsistent with Iran’s obligations to the world,” said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

Johndroe said that the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany “are committed to a diplomatic path, and have offered Iran a generous package of incentives if they will suspend their uranium enrichment activities.”

That’s right. First issue the recrimination, then offer a “generous package of incentives.” That’ll show ’em.

The problem, of course, is that once the nuclear wannabes have credibly shown that they are able to play this game, their incentive will be to keep playing it over and over. This game is bound to attract more players.