North Korea has stepped up its nuclear program in recent years. And many Americans think that the insular nation just might end up launching a nuclear weapon. Donald Trump hasn’t shown a lot of restraint in talking about North Korea, and has become the latest president to consider a war against the small country. But many Americans wonder how much power Donald Trump has to order a nuclear strike, and how many weapons he has at his disposal.

1. The U.S. has a variety of nuclear weapons in its arsenal
ABC News notes that the U.S. has a variety of different weapons in its nuclear arsenal. Our military has a “triad” of nuclear weapons: intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers that can drop nuclear bombs, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. But those weapons are decades old. ABC reports, “While the Pentagon has undergone a modernization process to keep these systems intact over that time, the Pentagon has plans to replace each leg of the triad in the coming decades.” The Pentagon plans to spend hundreds of billions dollars to modernize the nuclear arsenal. Some estimates say the 30-year effort, which began under Barack Obama, could cost as much as $1 trillion.

2. North Korea probably has about 60 nuclear weapons
Al Jazeera that “To launch a nuclear attack, North Korea would need to produce nuclear devices small enough to fit on its missiles — this is not known to have yet been successfully developed and tested.” Time reports that though we previously thought that North Korea lacked the technical sophistication to make nuclear warheads small enough to fit on a long-range missile, that no longer seems to be the case. The U.S. now thinks that North Korea can put a warhead onto a ballistic missile. U.S. officials estimate that North Korea has about 60 nuclear weapons. And independent experts estimate that the nation has enough uranium to produce six new nuclear bombs each year

Really

3.U.S. nuclear weapons are different from North Korea’s in this key respect
Time reports that the range of a U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile exceeds 6,213 miles. And experts say that U.S. ballistic missiles are reliable and accurate. The same thing doesn’t quite apply to North Korea’s missiles. Experts think that North Korea’s missiles are unreliable and inaccurate — not qualities that seem desirable in any weapons, much less nuclear weapons. And North Korea isn’t the only country outside the United States to have a nuclear arsenal. In addition to the U.S. and North Korea, the countries that have or are believed to have nuclear arsenals are Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, Pakistan, India, and China.

4. The most dangerous weapon in the U.S.’s nuclear arsenal is this bomb
Business Insider reports that the most dangerous weapon in the U.S. nuclear arsenal is a bomb called the B61-12. The B6112 “has a yield of 50 kilotons — tiny compared to the largest nuclear bomb that the US possesses, which has a yield of 1,200 kilotons.” But what makes it so dangerous is its “usability” and accuracy. It would be able to strike within 30 meters of its target, producing less nuclear fallout and limiting unintended casualties. Yet as Business Insider explains, “this lower fallout also lowers the cost and scope of a nuclear strike — which could in turn increase the possibility that the bomb would actually be used in a military engagement.” Dangerous, indeed

5.Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to nuclear weapons
As NPR reports, Donald Trump has seemed to imply that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is bigger than it ever has been . That simply isn’t the case, as the Air Force and Navy have the fewest strategic bombers and submarines ever, carrying fewer weapons than they ever have. And NPR notes that “the arsenal isn’t just smaller in terms of numbers of nuclear warheads. The weapons themselves are less powerful.” But as NBC explains, size really doesn’t matter with nuclear weapons. “More reliability, not more power, is what matters most,” NBC notes, especially as Trump trades threats with Kim Jong Un.

All these weapons are made to kill people.

Humans!

6.Here’s what’s scary about making nuclear weapons smaller and more accurate
As The New York Times reports, efforts to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal have yielded weapons that are smaller and more accurate . They’re also more reliable. But the shift is making some people uneasy. As the Times explains, critics argue that the new weapons’ “smaller yields and better targeting can make the arms more tempting to use — even to use first, rather than in retaliation.” Yet proponents of the strategy say that “smaller, more precise weapons would maintain the nation’s nuclear deterrent while reducing risks for civilians near foreign military targets.

7.The U.S. military could use microwave technology to counter North Korea’s weapons
This sounds like a conspiracy theory, but hear us out. Seeker reports that as the U.S military looks for more ways to counter a nuclear strike from North Korea, it’s considering microwave-beam weapons. With these weapons, the U.S. could “zap the launch site or control center with a powerful, targeted microwave blast fired from a low-flying missile to effectively melt the target’s electronic hardware.” The weapon, known as a CHAMP (Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project) missile, can reportedly fly 700 miles at low altitude. And as Seeker reports, “the microwave blast might be able to simply pull the plug on everything at a given facility without causing any fatalities.”

8.or, the U.S. could put lasers on drones to shoot missiles down
Another high-tech solution the military is considering to stop North Korean missiles in their tracks? Lasers. A drone bearing a high-powered laser could hover near the missile’s likely early flight path. “As the missile ascends,” Seeker explains, “the laser could burn it out of the sky like a flying light saber.” The Navy has already developed a laser weapon that can shoot drones out of the sky from a warship. And in 2010, a Boeing 747 with a massive laser gun successfully shot down a missile. Yet it’s still a challenge to build a laser system that’s not only powerful enough to destroy a missile, but also small enough to fit on a drone.

We don't want nuclear war Trump should better go with China on this one.

9.It would be pretty easy for Donald Trump to order a nuclear strike
If Donald Trump decides to attack a country like North Korea with a nuclear bomb, the process is surprisingly easy. As Vox explains, Trump would first have to decide that a nuclear strike is necessary. Then, a U.S. military official has to open the “football,” which would give Trump an outline of the options available. Trump would then have to talk with military and civilian advisers. Once he gives the official order to strike, launch crews would prepare to attack. It could take as little as five minutes from the time the president orders the strike for intercontinental ballistic missiles to launch.

10.The U.S. could launch a cyberattack against North Korea
Alternately, the U.S. could eschew the microwave weapons and laser guns and go for a cyberattack instead. Seeker reports that the government is reportedly working on techniques “for hacking the North Korean command-and-control centers.” In theory, those techniques would allow the U.S. to block a North Korean attack before a weapon even launches. But it’s possible that North Korea could thwart 21st century computer warfare just by relying on outdated, 20th century systems. And some hardware in North Korea may not be connected to a hackable system.

11.The president has nearly unchecked power to order a nuclear attack
As Vox reports, the president has nearly unchecked power to order a nuclear attack. He doesn’t need permission from Congress. He also doesn’t have to consult the military, or anybody else. Vox explains that the military “is duty-bound to carry out a lawful order from the president to strike another country with a nuclear weapon.” If the president orders a nuclear strike that top military officials consider illegal, the things could get messy. Trump could fire officials and replace them with people who would carry the order out.

heendrix:
10.The U.S. could launch a cyberattack against North Korea
Alternately, the U.S. could eschew the microwave weapons and laser guns and go for a cyberattack instead. Seeker reports that the government is reportedly working on techniques “for hacking the North Korean command-and-control centers.” In theory, those techniques would allow the U.S. to block a North Korean attack before a weapon even launches.
But it’s possible that North Korea could thwart 21st century computer warfare just by relying on outdated, 20th century systems. And some hardware in North Korea may not be connected to a hackable system.

This is what I've been expecting. Thanks to the movie, Snowden.

The next wars would not be fought with guns. They'll be fought with the internet. All they need to do is in bold text.

Red text: outdated systems cannot launch intercontinental missiles.

However, we don't want any fight o. That's pure world war 3.

Here's how:


Case1: US first.

If the US launched first, China would rise, probably Russia ( and maybe Japan) too. These two Giants against the US may call for the involvement of NATO (Remember Trump had blasted Putin for not contributing to NATO funding) and probably the UN. And voila....ww3 begins.


Case2: NK first.

China had warned Kim that if he launched first, na "OYO" be that. However, bros Russia will still be there. Russia coming in may drag in NATO. NATO and US against Russia may involve China and Japan. Wetin remain again?

Anyways, there was this possibility that ww3 would involve US, RUSSIA, CHINA.

Anyhow abeg. We're not dismayed, for we have our special invincible force, the FMWH. (Fulani Machina WarHeads)

abumeinben:


This is what I've been expecting. Thanks to the movie, Snowden.

The next wars would not be fought with guns. They'll be fought with the internet. All they need to do is in bold text.

Red text: outdated systems cannot launch intercontinental missiles.

However, we don't want any fight o. That's pure world war 3.

Here's how:


Case1: US first.

If the US launched first, China would rise, probably Russia ( and maybe Japan) too. These two Giants against the US may call for the involvement of NATO (Remember Trump had blasted Putin for not contributing to NATO funding) and probably the UN. And voila....ww3 begins.


Case2: NK first.

China had warned Kim that if he launched first, na "OYO" be that. However, bros Russia will still be there. Russia coming in may drag in NATO. NATO and US against Russia may involve China and Japan. Wetin remain again?

Anyways, there was this possibility that ww3 would involve US, RUSSIA, CHINA.

Anyhow abeg. We're not dismayed, for we have our special invincible force, the FMWH. (Fulani Machina WarHeads)

What’s Russia business with NATO?
All this Nigeria newspapers stories
An Average America has never witness a war before.

And yet the Almighty USA can’t hack NK system for the past 40 years.
An Average Europeans don’t see NK has a problem.

heendrix:
10.The U.S. could launch a cyberattack against North Korea
Alternately, the U.S. could eschew the microwave weapons and laser guns and go for a cyberattack instead. Seeker reports that the government is reportedly working on techniques “for hacking the North Korean command-and-control centers.” In theory, those techniques would allow the U.S. to block a North Korean attack before a weapon even launches. But it’s possible that North Korea could thwart 21st century computer warfare just by relying on outdated, 20th century systems. And some hardware in North Korea may not be connected to a hackable system.

Cynate:

What’s Russia business with NATO?
All this Nigeria newspapers stories
An Average America has never witness a war before.

Pheww... thought I saw the "Avengers".

What would you mean by "average American"? If you mean meant youths, there's probably not been any global or at least international war since ww2. Except for some cold wars.

What's Russia biz with NATO? Is Russia not supposed to be part of NATO?

Nigerian news papers....when I want to read about jenifa accusing elrufai of bedwetting, I use Nigerian news papers. BUT WHEN I WANT TO READ ABOUT GLOBAL EVENTS FROM EXPERIENCED OR RETIRED PERSONNELS, QUORA IS THE .COM

US only job is bullying defenseless Nations not a nuclear Nation.
Just a gun shoot across the DMZ line alone will trigger the war of our century.
100KM away from DMZ is located over 20M people and Japan is just few miles away.
Hollywood is diff from Reality

abumeinben:


Pheww... thought I saw the "Avengers".

What would you mean by "average American"? If you mean meant youths, there's probably not been any global or at least international war since ww2. Except for some cold wars.

What's Russia biz with NATO? Is Russia not supposed to be part of NATO?

Nigerian news papers....when I want to read about jenifa accusing elrufai of bedwetting, I use Nigerian news papers. BUT WHEN I WANT TO READ ABOUT GLOBAL EVENTS FROM EXPERIENCED OR RETIRED PERSONNELS, QUORA IS THE .COM

abumeinben:


This is what I've been expecting. Thanks to the movie, Snowden.

The next wars would not be fought with guns. They'll be fought with the internet. All they need to do is in bold text.

Red text: outdated systems cannot launch intercontinental missiles.

However, we don't want any fight o. That's pure world war 3.

Here's how:


Case1: US first.

If the US launched first, China would rise, probably Russia ( and maybe Japan) too. These two Giants against the US may call for the involvement of NATO (Remember Trump had blasted Putin for not contributing to NATO funding) and probably the UN. And voila....ww3 begins.


Case2: NK first.

China had warned Kim that if he launched first, na "OYO" be that. However, bros Russia will still be there. Russia coming in may drag in NATO. NATO and US against Russia may involve China and Japan. Wetin remain again?

Anyways, there was this possibility that ww3 would involve US, RUSSIA, CHINA.

Anyhow abeg. We're not dismayed, for we have our special invincible force, the FMWH. (Fulani Machina WarHeads)

Lool

abumeinben:


This is what I've been expecting. Thanks to the movie, Snowden.

The next wars would not be fought with guns. They'll be fought with the internet. All they need to do is in bold text.

Red text: outdated systems cannot launch intercontinental missiles.

However, we don't want any fight o. That's pure world war 3.

Here's how:


Case1: US first.

If the US launched first, China would rise, probably Russia ( and maybe Japan) too. These two Giants against the US may call for the involvement of NATO (Remember Trump had blasted Putin for not contributing to NATO funding) and probably the UN. And voila....ww3 begins.


Case2: NK first.

China had warned Kim that if he launched first, na "OYO" be that. However, bros Russia will still be there. Russia coming in may drag in NATO. NATO and US against Russia may involve China and Japan. Wetin remain again?

Anyways, there was this possibility that ww3 would involve US, RUSSIA, CHINA.

Anyhow abeg. We're not dismayed, for we have our special invincible force, the FMWH. (Fulani Machina WarHeads)

Yabaleft
You no just well

All fantasy. There would be no nuclear war abeg

abumeinben:


This is what I've been expecting. Thanks to the movie, Snowden.

The next wars would not be fought with guns. They'll be fought with the internet. All they need to do is in bold text.

Red text: outdated systems cannot launch intercontinental missiles.

However, we don't want any fight o. That's pure world war 3.

Here's how:


Case1: US first.

If the US launched first, China would rise, probably Russia ( and maybe Japan) too. These two Giants against the US may call for the involvement of NATO (Remember Trump had blasted Putin for not contributing to NATO funding) and probably the UN. And voila....ww3 begins.


Case2: NK first.

China had warned Kim that if he launched first, na "OYO" be that. However, bros Russia will still be there. Russia coming in may drag in NATO. NATO and US against Russia may involve China and Japan. Wetin remain again?

Anyways, there was this possibility that ww3 would involve US, RUSSIA, CHINA.

Anyhow abeg. We're not dismayed, for we have our special invincible force, the FMWH. (Fulani Machina WarHeads)

Russia and NATO team together...

Seriously dude,Russia and NATO, You really think that's ever going to happen.

deco22:
Russia and NATO team together...

Seriously dude,Russia and NATO, You really think that's every going to happen.

That pishor though

The presence of Russia and US is a friction in NATO, you nor know?

abumeinben:


That pishor though

The presence of Russia and US is a friction in NATO, you nor know?

Russia is not part of NATO,it detests NATO.

NATO was set up to protect western Europe from Russian invasion so how can you team up with someone whose mission is to destroy you.

Cynate:

US only job is bullying defenseless Nations not a nuclear Nation.
Just a gun shoot across the DMZ line alone will trigger the war of our century.
100KM away from DMZ is located over 20M people and Japan is just few miles away.
Hollywood is diff from Reality

Who's talking about Hollywood? Far from it o.

Those players are the spearheads for ww3.

deco22:
Russia is not part of NATO,it detests NATO.

NATO was set up to protect western Europe from Russian invasion so how can you team up with someone whose mission is to destroy you.

Awh snap!!

What was I thinking? Thanks for this bro.

deco22:
Russia is not part of NATO,it detests NATO.

NATO was set up to protect western Europe from Russian invasion so how can you team up with someone whose mission is to destroy you.

NATO was the planning to destroy Russia.
NATO can only bully small defenceless nations.

The guy don’t even know that Russia is not part of NATO