Trident Is No Bloody Use Says General
The Controversial History of US Weapons Technology Sales to Iraq
Under the successive presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George Bush, the USA sold nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons technology to Saddam Hussein. This article explores the uncovering of these sales and the devastating consequences that followed.
UN Inspectors Sound the Alarm
In the early 1990s, UN inspectors revealed their findings to the US Senate committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs. They reported that many US-manufactured items exported under licenses issued by the US Department of Commerce were used to further Iraq's chemical and nuclear weapons development as well as missile delivery system development programs.
Investigation into Dual-use Exports
A detailed investigation by the committee began in 1992, focusing on "US chemical and biological warfare-related dual-use exports to Iraq." The investigation uncovered the shocking fact that 17 individual shipments, comprising around 80 batches of biomaterial, were sent to Iraq during the Reagan years.
Various Shipment Recipients
These shipments included hazardous substances such as anthrax, botulism, salmonella, E.Coli, West Nile fever, brucella melitensis, and clostridium perfringens. The destinations ranged from academic institutions like the University of Basra and Baghdad University, to government entities such as the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission and the Ministry of Health. These shipments continued even after the infamous gassing of the Kurdish town of Halabja in March 1988, resulting in the loss of over 5,000 lives.
A Devastating Record
The chairman of the Senate committee, Don Riegle, expressed his shock at the government's approval of 771 different export licenses for the sale of dual-use technology to Iraq. He described it as a "devastating record" of complicity in aiding Iraq's weapons development programs.
Trident and the Debate over Nuclear Weapons
Now that the controversial history of US weapons technology sales to Iraq has been examined, it is essential to turn our attention to the ongoing debate surrounding nuclear weapons and the Trident system.
The Role of Trident
Trident is the UK's nuclear weapons system, consisting of ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. It has been a topic of fierce debate among politicians, military officials, and the public at large.
Military General's Critique
A recent statement from a high-ranking military general has added fuel to the Trident debate. The general, whose name has not been disclosed due to security reasons, boldly claims that Trident is simply not effective in today's security landscape.
The Argument Against Trident
The general argues that Trident is an outdated and expensive form of defense that does not align with modern warfare tactics. He cites several reasons to support his claim:
- Trident's "all or nothing" approach leads to a higher risk of catastrophic consequences
- The vast financial investment required for Trident could be better utilized in other defense areas
- Nuclear weapons are increasingly seen as a liability rather than a necessary deterrent
- The focus should shift towards alternative defense strategies such as cyber warfare and intelligence gathering
The Ongoing Discussion
The general's critique of Trident has ignited a fresh round of discussions and debates among defense experts, policymakers, and the public. The future of Trident and the role of nuclear weapons in today's world remain hotly contested topics.