Zak (2022)

Question 1

What is the B61 ?

Answer 1

The B61 is an American nuclear bomb stored in an underground vault at an air force base in western Germany.

The B61 is capable of carrying the explosive equivalent of 11 Hiroshimas.

Question 2

How many B61 are stored in NATO ?

Answer 2

There are about 100 such B61 bombs stored among five NATO countries.

It is the only U.S. nuclear weapons system based in Europe, serving as a forward-deployed reassurance for NATO.

Question 3

What is the political value of B61 ?

Answer 3

The B61’s political value is immense, viewed as a major political commitment and a visible symbol of extended deterrence.

While there may be limited military value to the B61 in Europe, they are maintained for political reasons.

Question 4

What is the potential use for a B61 in Europe ?

Answer 4

In an escalating conflict between NATO and Russia, a B61 could be used in response to a nuclear warning shot from Russia.

Question 5

What would occur if B61 were used in a conflict ?

Answer 5

The use of B61s in a conflict could lead to all-out nuclear war, resulting in catastrophic casualties worldwide.

Therefore, the B61 serves as a reminder of the ongoing importance of nuclear weapons in global security, even in a rapidly evolving world.

Question 6

What are the economic implication of modernizing B61 ?

Answer 6

The modernization of the B61 program is predicted to be the most expensive nuclear-bomb program in U.S. history