For national security’s sake, de-escalate nuclear tensions

During the Cold War, both the U.S. and The Soviet Union went to great lengths to avoid direct military conflict, since both were nuclear powers. All-out war was averted — a great success that should guide our present circumstances.

The manner in which some leaders speak casually of war with Russia or China is concerning. Everyone involved in national security should read “Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jacobsen. The possibility of conflict escalating to a nuclear exchange through miscommunication and miscalculation is frightening.

Given the destructive nature of modern warfare, and given that we now spend more in interest on the national debt than on the military, maintaining peace is essential.

The war in Ukraine must be contained. A negotiated settlement is urgently needed. A grand bargain with China should also be a priority.

In exchange for China agreeing to not invade Taiwan, and to respect freedom of the seas, the U.S. could agree to withdraw naval forces from the areas that most threaten China.

The U.S. and Russia should join China and India in pledging “no first use” of nuclear weapons. And instead of China increasing its nuclear stockpile from 500 warheads to thousand, the U.S. and Russia should negotiate to reduce their respective nuclear weapons to China’s level.

The first priority of responsible leaders is to preserve civilization from nuclear annihilation.

Mike Streb

Iowa City