My secrecy is your deception

ARTICLE: U.S. and Allies Warn Iran Over Nuclear 'Deception'
Over, By DAVID E. SANGER and WILLIAM J. BROAD, New York Times, September 25, 2009

I always love the term "deception" in this regard. After decades of secretly building up our nuke stockpiles and secretly sharing info with friends (while spies secretly took them to our enemies), we now lecture others on the secrecy and "deception" of their programs.

Naturally, we don't hold Israel to any such standard.

Is there such a thing as a "good" nuclear bomb or "good" nuclear power? Or do they all seem to use the capability for similar ends?

Comments

[Gilbert Garza]

“…we now lecture others on the secrecy and "deception" of their programs.”

The human condition means that we sometimes have to expose ourselves to accusations of hypocrisy in order to express and communicate what we believe to be a true judgment of fact condition motive or behavior. Not saying anything might condone a repetition of a wrong- even one of which others or we ourselves have been guilty. We should be prompted by our humanity to try to diplomatically ask for and to give compassionate understanding when this is the case.

[Tom Barnett]

That is one fancy way of saying we get to keep the bomb and you don't get to have one.

The problem, history says that's not how it works. Countries don't reach for the bomb when they feel there is no utility in having it; they reach for the bomb where there is clear utility.

That's why proliferation has been so stunningly slow.

But pretty language that does not address the root need (i.e., the Iranians fear regime-changing invasion) belongs on a diplo blog.

I believe in limiting my analysis to reality.