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Exactly.

The US nuclear umbrella was not charity, contrary what some in the US appear to believe. It was and is a pure power play.

Another little tidbit that is not generally well-known is that the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) actually requires the current nuclear powers to get rid of their nuclear weapons...eventually.



You're going to see just how much of an act of charity it was when it's withdrawn.


Charity ≠ one side of a quid-pro-quo was worthless.

The US gave/gives something that is fairly easy for it to provide, and valuable to the other side.

In return the US receives something that is of great value to it and fairly easy for the other side to provide (as long as the US keeps its side of the bargain).

If US security guarantees turn out to be worthless, you will see a lot more nuclear powers as well as a drastic increase in conventional capabilities.

The US will then be one power among many, rather than a mostly unchallenged superpower.


It's charity. The US spent the equivalent of many trillions of current dollars on nuclear weapons and delivery systems, and those under the US nuclear umbrella didn't have to. Withdrawal of that umbrella will mean these countries will then have to pony up money to replace it.

What did the US receive in return for this? Gratitude isn't worth much.




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