Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans
for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be
limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI
all over again?
Staffing should be such that logical objections or questions
could be resolved. Resolved coherently and with intellectual dash.
In minutes or hours rather than days or weeks.
I know some staffs with that capability -- I've seen them in
action. They are the "armies" of the world's great newspapers and
other reporting organizations, with the connetions to the larger
world that these people have.
Here are some questions, that would fit the capabilities of
journalists, that might have to be adressed.
Thanks, I am flatetred.
I tend to think of myself more in Kozma Prutkov's line: "If you
see a cage with a Donkey with a sign "Lion" - Dont believe your
eyes";)
(Kozma Prutkov is a name of 19th century Russian group of
playfull intellectuals. I guess, the Russian early version of
Orwellian;)
Here are questions, well suited to large journalistic
organizations which, if well answered, could facilitate the
practical jobs peace might take. The answers would also be the basis
for good stories from a journalistic point of view. No doubt there
are many other good questions. I offer these as examples.
**************
What pictures would people have to see to understand a nuclear
standdown procedure, and judge the checkability of it?
What hostages would assure "business" leaders in Russia, and in
America?
How could they be treated, to facilitate dealings between the two
countries?
What are the “reasons” why nuclear standdown is impossible, or
unwelcome to American or Russian sides.
Aesthetic responses to nuclear terror and nuclear standdown
mechanics - Russian and American. Grace under pressure - Russian
style, American style. Entertaining hostages for month long stays. .
Suppose a plan were fashioned that would, work, technically and
emotionally, to produce a full standdown of nuclear weapons
worldwide, over a few month time period, if well presented.
How could the plan be best presented to Americans? To Russians?
How to make nuclear standdown aesthetically attractive, and of
high status, to the stressed Americans and Russians who must do it,
and to their publics.
The aesthetics of nuclear terror, and the terror of first strike
tricks during stand-down -- means of artistic illustration to minds
and hearts of Americans and Russians.
The technology of bugging leaders, who know the bugging exists,
with full transmission of informaiton, and minimum avoidable
inconvenience. Russian and American capabilitities , styles and
patterns of concern.
Integration of a single episode into the status and power systems
of American and Russian culture. The objective is to eliminate
nuclear weapons from the earth, but to modify or challenge as little
else in national systems as possible. Ways to enhance prestige and
security of military and political forces, in America and Russia, in
the course of this. Patterns of moral support and suasion.
rshowalter
- 02:47pm Mar 12, 2001 EST (#961
of 963) 
Robert Showalter
showalte@macc.wisc.edu
Cooperation of professional competitors, for a short period of
time,, in the absence of umpires,. What is needed for stability?
Who wins and who loses in American civilian and military circles
if nuclear weapons are eliminated - with any and all other changes
minimized to the extent possible.? Who has power to obstruct.? How
does that power work?
The shadow of the bomb in American and Russian culture -
simularities and differences. Differences in aesthetic responses,
and patterns of understanding.
Operationally sufficient "mutually assured destruction sufficient
for deterrance" in the absence of nuclear weapons. Russian military
perspective. American military perspective. …….
Making the slogan "peace is our profession" operational, and
satisfying, for American and Russian militaries - what would have to
be done?
Status exchanges are crucial to controlled social competition,
and you are the specialist here ! Raising the status of the
participants. Should buggers meet people bugged? Comfort under
awkward circumstances. Aesthetic responses to nuclear terror and
nuclear standdown mechanics - Russian and American. Grace under
pressure - Russian style, American style. Entertaining hostages for
month long stays. …. Reporting protocola and status exchanges in
Russia and America.
The role of surveillance technology, including bugging and
cryptographical procedures, in a sustainable standoff between
inherently competitive nation states.
What pictures would people have to see to understand a nuclear
standdown procedure, and judge the checkability of it?
What pictures illustrate nuclear terror, and fear of first-strike
tricks?
Simularities and differences in Russian, American sense of honor
- picture illustrations.
Nuclear weapons, and arms control, from the perspective of
American and Russian culture.
Operationally sufficient "mutually assured destruction sufficient
for deterrance" in the absence of nuclear weapons. Information flows
for defense, offense, and ordinary operations. Russian military
perspective. American military perspective. ……Bugging technology.
Information overload considerations.
How could a provisional "proposal for discussion and comment" be
prepared for the Russian and American governments?
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