Could US Disarmament Spark Increase in Nuclear Weapons? - Rory Medcalf

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/09/29/Can_Obamas_Nuclear_Disarmament_Agenda_Work

Rory Medcalf raises concerns about the impact of American nuclear arms reductions on "extended deterrence." Without the U.S. promise to bring nuclear weapons to the defense of allies, he says, other countries might feel compelled to build their own weapons.

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The Lowy Institute convenes an expert panel to examine the implications of President Obama's push to reduce nuclear dangers, as well as to debate broader questions about nuclear disarmament. - Lowy Institute for International Policy

Rory Medcalf worked variously as an intelligence analyst, diplomat and journalist before joining the Lowy Institute as the International Security Program Director in March 2007.

From 2003 to 2007, he was a senior strategic analyst with the Office of National Assessments, Australia's peak intelligence analysis agency. His work dealt with Australia's strategic environment, particularly power relations in Asia. From 1996 to 2003, Mr Medcalf was an officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. From 2000 to 2003 he served at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. His diplomatic experience also included a secondment to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he played a key role in drafting the Tokyo Forum report on nuclear non-proliferation, service as a truce monitor in Bougainville, policy development on the ASEAN Regional Forum and assisting the Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Mr Medcalf's earlier work as print journalist was commended in Australia's premier media awards, the Walkleys. He has a first class Honours degree in political science and a University Medal from the University of Queensland.

He is the Australian convener of the Australia-India Roundtable and a research consultant for the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.

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[xxxCARLxxx004]

Why the hell would they use such NUCLEAR WEAPONS if they knew that MANY people will be affected as well as other living things.wtf is happening to the world right now

[lomeloft]

@Finiras what about north korea, china, and russia...if we didnt have nuclear bombs, they would conquer us in a heart beat

[Finiras]

LOL. maybe you need to look at your first reply to my message, because that is EXACTLY what you did. and the interrogation crap makes no sense at all. you never addressed my claims, all you did was act like you know the answers.

[funkalunatic]

This is the same argument most often used to justify tyranny - that you need a big bully lording over everyone to keep the smaller players from becoming bullies themselves. The argument ignores non-military forms of power, ignores motivations for player behavior other than short-term rational self-interest, and pre-empts discussion of the long-term consequences of US hegemony.

[r22k10]

Could not talking make you louder? I think this guy should try it.

[Checkpoint360]

You answer by asking a question, and then think to yourself "I'm so smart"- have you considered answering the question? or just asking more questions? in that case it's not a conversation, its an interrogation, and I'm not keen on interrogations

[Darkhorse21x]

What protects Aus is the fact that they are in the COMMONWEALTH. There are many political nuances to messing with the commonwealth and any Aus worth his salt would recognize this. US economic supremacy is propped up primarily on arms sales and to a lesser extent narcotic distribution via the C.I.A. and the US dollar the defacto currency for oil sales world wide. remove 1 leg on the 3 leg stool and you get collapse. It's not complicated. Just hard for some to accept is all.

[Thealazor]

I think the need for global US protection is kind of overstated but I understand alot of the mindset from the cold war still lingers. In todays world however I would say that most countries, certainly ones in "the west", have little to fear in terms of military or even terrorist attacks.

Also reducing the amount of nukes from the numbers they are in now wont matter too much I dont think. You dont need the obscene amounts that were stockpiled during the cold war.

[Steadno]

daddy ameracER

[Finiras]

I'm not american. why dont you list the countries that need protecting by the US?

you simply don't know what you're talking about.

pretty much the only country that countries need defending from is the US ITSELF.