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Denuclearization of Kazakhstan

Deacon923

Scooter Banks
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This is an important story that more people need to know. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/the-quiet-end-of-kazakhstans-denuclearization-program/618424/

The theoretical alternatives if we had not worked with Russia and Kazakhstan to clean up their nukes in the 90s are truly horrifying. That much loose plutonium a day's drive from Afghanistan or Iran... A major success story that needs to be known to more Americans. Probably less than 5% of the country knows anything about this, and it may have done more to keep us safe over the past 30 years than all the aircraft carriers and F-35s.
 
This is an important story that more people need to know. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/the-quiet-end-of-kazakhstans-denuclearization-program/618424/

The theoretical alternatives if we had not worked with Russia and Kazakhstan to clean up their nukes in the 90s are truly horrifying. That much loose plutonium a day's drive from Afghanistan or Iran... A major success story that needs to be known to more Americans. Probably less than 5% of the country knows anything about this, and it may have done more to keep us safe over the past 30 years than all the aircraft carriers and F-35s.

This was one of several programs that had to be done very quietly for many reasons. Getting plutonium and high enriched (weapons grade) uranium into much safer circumstances was a monumental task. The government of Kazakhstan should be applauded for working with the US, a long time adversary. And also lauded for giving up what some there regarded as a major asset.

Some there wanted to auction the bomb materials to the highest bidders, without vetting who they were or what they intended to do with the materials.
 
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