France Would Consider Using Nukes in Response to Terrorism
French President Jacques Chirac has said France would consider responding to state-sponsored terrorism with a nuclear strike. While the remarks were not specifically aimed at Iran, one has to wonder if the purpose of this statement was to let Iran know that Europe is not going to roll over.
Unlike a lot of people these days, I still have a deep respect for the people of Western Europe and still believe that, if push came to shove, they'd have the will to use military force--even devastating force. No one wants a nuclear war, obviously. But nuclear weapons only work as a deterrent if your enemy believes you have the will to use them. Chirac, it would seem, just put Iran and those who support Iran on notice.
Unlike a lot of people these days, I still have a deep respect for the people of Western Europe and still believe that, if push came to shove, they'd have the will to use military force--even devastating force. No one wants a nuclear war, obviously. But nuclear weapons only work as a deterrent if your enemy believes you have the will to use them. Chirac, it would seem, just put Iran and those who support Iran on notice.
posted by Alan Stewart Carl at 4:57 PM
4 Comments:
OT:
Your front page still has the "Alito's Open Mind" post at top, even though you've updated many times since then. What's going on?
I'm slow but I do always get there eventually. Followed you over from The Yellow Line and look forward to reading your stuff here.
Glad you made your way over.
gljunket,
I really don't think Europe is as weak-kneed as people think. You are right that France lacks a certain degree of credibility given their appeasement tactics in the past, but I'm not prepared to give up on them. Confronting Iran in any meaningful way will require Europe to be on board. Many would disagree with that, but I think European resolve is key to keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran. As such, I think it's good to support Chirac's statement rather than chortle at it (although you are very right that the headline sounds like the set-up for a joke).
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