Critical Thinking Questions about Big & Small Wars. Critical Thinking Questions. America’s Military Capabilities

America’s Military Capabilities
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America’s military prowess is undeniable with a well-trained army and sophisticated war machines. The United States has always offered military aid to countries throughout the years for peacekeeping missions and to successful effect. The last time the nation got embroiled in a war was in Afghanistan which proved to be the longest in its history and also claiming countless lives. It is impossible for the united states not to be involved in wars and conflicts, being a superpower nation, but the military has always found a way to topple any threat. This essay is dedicated to determining the capabilities of America's military, weapons, and foreign relations.
Chapter 12
Nuclear weapons are efficient but way more destructive and have severe collateral damage. In the latter half of the twentieth century, nuclear weapons had a significant impact on the outcome of wars especially the Second World War. Over time, however, there has not been a large-scale conflict between the world’s superpowers since the Second World War. The role of nuclear weapons in the 21st century has become that of bragging rights and intimidating adversary countries against attacking the state CITATION Ste00 \l 1033 (Stephen M 2000) Conventional military weapons are the ones that inflict damage on a target such as a gun, bomb or a missile. Their destruction range, however, is minimal as compared to nuclear weapons. In the 21st century, most of the technology is being geared towards improving the efficiency of conventional military weapons with projects such as; advanced precision ammunition, sophisticated real-time imagery and data fusion, antiballistic missile technology, and information warfare. CITATION Ste00 \l 1033 (Stephen M 2000) Conventional weapons are effective in addressing day to day missions, but some targets are too large for the guns to make an impact. Specific targets like airfields, naval bases and command structures are vast and well protected; therefore, a nuclear weapon is most recommended. However, the destructive nature of atomic weapons might deter nations from engaging in their use.
Given the damage the nuclear weapons can inflict, its no surprise that significant world organizations are coming up with policies to control their manufacture, testing, and any usage in the future. The nuclear weapons have only been used twice that is during the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing in 1945 to devastating effects and long-term consequences. Close to 200,000 casualties were reported, and the survivors were at a higher risk of cancer due to radiation poisoning. As a result, Japan has for decades advocated for the elimination of nuclear weapons together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ten-member state is determined to make the Indo- Pacific a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Their agenda is compelling, and it falls in line with the United Nations' goal of eliminating the weapons. Superpower nations do not seem sold on the idea of giving up their guns but for the arms control to be successful, the nuclear-armed countries need to agree. The future, however, looks worried as the nuclear-bearing nations are at an impasse with tension...