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Comment by patcon

6 days ago

Yes, but to be clear: Nuclear non-proliferation was regulatory capture.

There were five nuclear states grandfathered in when the NPT was signed. Since then, five other countries have developed nuclear weapons.

Apart from South Africa (which gave up its nukes voluntarily), the other contenders were basically only held back due to military intervention (Iraq, Libya, Syria) or economic sanctions (Iran).

How's that one going for humanity in 2026?

  • From what I understand, it has gone great if your atoms exist on the other side of the cold war, no?

    • Verdict is out on whether or not they'll survive after that. START expired this year and the powers that be are going gangbusters into nuclear proliferation. It always made the assumption of benevolence for the regulatory organizations, which probably won't survive the long tail.