Problem

Risk of unintentional nuclear war due to accidents

Nature:
Possibilities for accidents in nuclear weaponry and control systems are several. Technical failure or malfunctioning may detonate or launch nuclear weapons, or may also lead to false alarms. Nuclear weaponry accidents and threatening movements may also be caused by unauthorized action, human error, human over-reaction, stress or temporary insanity, and may be misinterpreted by an adversary nuclear power which could immediately retaliate, either proportionately or disproportionately. Risks are particularly serious in countries which have a newly acquired nuclear capability but are not yet able or willing to purchase or develop sophisticated safeguard systems.
Subject(s):
Societal Problems Accidents
Societal Problems Hazards
Defence War
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems
Date of last update
01.01.2000 – 00:00 CET