OPINION:
Congratulations to Clifford May for his outstanding Commentary piece, “Biden’s National Security Strategy still unavailable” (Web, April 26). He neatly summarizes what several previous presidents have ignored, but none so clearly as the present one, namely, “If you want peace prepare for war.”
Having been intimately involved in the nuclear-warhead field for six decades, I find it inconceivable that anyone could believe national security could be achieved without strength. Strength of arms and strength of purpose — the two have to be combined.
Anyone spouting that global climate represents the greatest danger to humankind, when so many nations headed by non-democratic governments possess or are attempting to acquire nuclear warheads, has no right to occupy the presidency.
Scientists and engineers who designed nuclear warheads for democratic governments did so in the firm belief that their products would preserve peace through strength. It sounds odd that so much effort was devoted to ensure a weapon that one hoped would never be used had to function perfectly, but such is the requirement for an effective deterrent.
President Ronald Reagan expanded this peace-keeping concept beyond mutual assured destruction with the introduction of effective missile defense. Though thoroughly sound, it has never been properly implemented. Margaret Thatcher was the only other world leader to grasp Reagan’s concept, so nearly 40 years later we lack the ability and remain subject to threats that Russia might use such weapons against us.
By drawing attention to Mr. May’s commentary, I hope multiple readers will contact their legislators to pressure them into encouraging President Biden to take up the offer of a meeting with Mr. May. Mr. Biden desperately needs someone to explain the facts of life to him.
STANLEY ORMAN
Rockville, Maryland
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