[Graeme]

The Return of the Doomsday Machine?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut according to a new book called Doomsday Men and several papers on the subject by U.S. analysts, it may not have been merely a fantasy. According to these accounts, the Soviets built and activated a variation of a doomsday machine in the mid-'80s. And there is no evidence Putin's Russia has deactivated the system.

Instead, something was reactivated in Russia last week. I'm referring to the ominous announcement—given insufficient attention by most U.S. media (the Economist made it the opening of a lead editorial on Putin's Russia)—by Vladimir Putin that Russia has resumed regular "strategic flights" of nuclear bombers. (They may or may not be carrying nuclear bombs, but you can practically hear Putin's smirking tone as he says, "Our [nuclear bomber] pilots have been grounded for too long. They are happy to start a new life.")

These twin developments raise a troubling question: What are the United States' and Russia's current nuclear policies with regard to how and when they will respond to a perceived nuclear attack?


The details of this top-secret Soviet system were first revealed in 1993 by Bruce G. Blair, a former American ICBM launch control officer, now one of the country's foremost experts on Russian arms. Fearing that a sneak attack by American submarine-launched missiles might take Moscow out in 13 minutes, the Soviet leadership had authorized the construction of an automated communication network, reinforced to withstand a nuclear strike. At its heart was a computer system similar to the one in Dr. Strangelove. Its code name was Perimetr. It went fully operational in January 1985. It is still in place."

Wait a minute. Still in place?! How is this possible?


Blair's work continues and I think it's urgent, now that Putin's "nuclear bombers" are flying again, that Congress re-examine the whole issue and take seriously Blair's warnings about the variations of doomsday we still face.

[Offshore]

Both sides still have one. President Bush has one called the Nucular [sic] Football.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Football

[jato]

link$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')trangelove: Mr. President, it is not only possible, it is essential. That is the whole idea of this machine, you know. Deterrence is the art of producing in the mind of the enemy... the fear to attack. And so, because of the automated and irrevocable decision making process which rules out human meddling, the doomsday machine is terrifying. It's simple to understand. And completely credible, and convincing.

Turgidson: Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines, Stainsy.

Muffley: But this is fantastic, Strangelove. How can it be triggered automatically?

Strangelove: Well, it's remarkably simple to do that. When you merely wish to bury bombs, there is no limit to the size. After that they are connected to a gigantic complex of computers. Now then, a specific and clearly defined set of circumstances, under which the bombs are to be exploded, is programmed into a tape memory bank.

Turgidson: Strangelove. What kind of a name is that? That ain't no kraut name, is it, Stainsy?

Stains: He changed it when he became a citizen. It used to be Merkwurkdigliebe.

Turgidson: Hmm. A kraut, by any other name, huh, Stainsy?

Strangelove: Yes, but the... whole point of the doomsday machine... is lost... if you keep it a secret! Why didn't you tell the world, eh?

[azreal60]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')the Soviet leadership had authorized the construction of an automated communication network, reinforced to withstand a nuclear strike. At its heart was a computer system similar to the one in Dr. Strangelove. Its code name was Perimetr. It went fully operational in January 1985. It is still in place

[emersonbiggins]

I have to say that this is a refreshingly doomerish post from Graeme.

[jboogy]

The means to completely snuff out all life on the planet has been around since the fifties , full first strike followed by retaliatory full response would bring about nuclear winter , a theory that sounds probable to me . There are also genetically mutated viruses in labs around the world that have extremely high mortality and communicability .

[TheDude]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Offshore', 'B')oth sides still have one. President Bush has one called the Nucular [sic] Football.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Football

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jboogy', ' ')full first strike followed by retaliatory full response would bring about nuclear winter

[jboogy]

By jove , I think you've got it !