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Nuclear Weapons Taboo: Difference between revisions
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== Video Games ==
* In the ''[[Metal Gear]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' franchise, the ability of the Metal Gear machines to launch nuclear weapons is basically the reason they are "bad." In addition, this angle is somewhat overplayed; a Metal Gear wouldn't actually have much more strategic impact than a ballistic missile submarine.
** Though this is justified in the case of Metal Gear REX or its derivatives, as it used a large [[Magnetic Weapons|Railgun]] to fire warheads as sub-orbital artillery. Because these warheads were not technically part of missile systems, they did not violate several otherwise applicable treaties. "Loophole nukes" of a sort. Also, these weapons can't be detected the way normal nukes are (Which would only be possible if the railgun has unheard of efficiency to avoid detectable waste heat), which completely destroys the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction; any country with a REX derivative can launch a nuke at another country and be guaranteed that there will be no retaliatory strike, because there's no way to determine where it came from or that it's even happening until the nuke hits.
*** Also, the Proto Metal Gears all had the advantage of being easier for Third World Countries to have Nuclear capability of their own. The greatest danger was that every Non-Superpower Country having such power would completely mess up global politics. Especially since they were willing to sell them to TERRORISTS or "Freedom Fighters" if the price was right. Imagine a world full of Osama Bin Ladens, and each having their own Walking Nuclear Death Mobiles.
*** Plus, the eponymous [[Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|Peace Walker]] was essentially a nuclear platform programmed to launch even with false data, removing human decision making from launching, making it a truly terrifying weapon if attacked.
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