This figure is up from the old report of 200 US nukes in Europe. I guess we all can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we are much safer now. I believe that I have read that Israel has over 200 nukes themselves. Ok now all you 'other' countries... stop making a couple of nukes... that's not fair!

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle...n=theworld&col=
9 February 2005

WASHINGTON - The United States is keeping some 480 nuclear weapons in air bases in Europe -- twice as many as analysts had previously estimated -- to deter attacks from terrorists or rogue nations, The New York Times said Wednesday, quoting a new study by a private group.

The short-range nuclear bombs are stored under US control, under tight security and regulated by secret military agreements at eight bases in Belgium, Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey, said the daily which obtained the report from the Natural Resources Defence Council.

Other US officials said there were no plans to reduce the US nuclear arsenal in Europe and that the issue had caused strain among North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) political and military leaders.

200 nukes isnt anything compared to what our government has. Shoot, we have 200 nukes in a few Submarines. I am more worried about nukes slipping out of the hands of countries like Israel, Pakistan, India, North Korea, etc. It kinda make you ask yourself, is a nuclear attack on America inevitable? :o

.........and Russia.

I thought it only took about one or two to destroy the world because of the radiation traveling through air currents.

There's also much more than just 200 nukes in the entire world. Just in combination with what the US and Israel has in just the East is almost over 700 nuke weapons.

It's all about the size of the warhead and conditions of the atmosphere when a nuke(s) is detonated. There's really two types of fallout. The immediate fallout which covers approx 800 sq miles... then the finer and smaller radioactive dust particals that can be carried off by the upper air stream of which could amount to several 1000s of miles in distances... but again, depending on size of warhead and atmospheric conditions.

Now, several things also comes into play here. There's the 'life line' of such concentration of radiactive dust itself. Not being a scientist here, all I know is that some radioactive materials can live longer than other types. The the dust's long journey may vary also, based on the 'washout' effect that climate conditions makes on that contaminated dust partical. If it rains or snows, most of those dust particals will simply dilute itself and fall short of it's long journey. In perfect conditions, yes... those particals could make it much further and depending on the amount of other 'bombs' released and size of warheads would determine the after affect on the populas around the world in ways of cancerous or other life threatening conditions know as deseases.

A lot of what happens to ppl way 'down stream' of such fallout is not so much from the radioactive effects directly itself, but what it causes to happen in our bodies... it effect ... our immune system or wht blood cells that wards off infections and deseases. Most deaths to occur in long range fallout would be from killer deseases rather than the radioactive material itself.

On a happier note, if there could ever be such a note in BushWorld, one could preplan and have a survival bunker that could very well save ppl from fallout. Again, it really takes on a very vigorous effort to make sure that everything (needs) are in place for such preparations. I suggest one to further study what preparations are needed as to be more successfull for long range survival.

I hope I was able to clear the air somewhat. No pun intended. <_<