LeGenD
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Logically, nuclear powers are the most powerful countries in the world. However, they also vary considerably in destructive capability. US and Russia stand apart in this area from other countries.
My personal assessment of destructive capability of the officially recognized nuclear powers:-
TIER 1: US and Russia
TIER 2: UK, France and China
TIER 3: Israel, India and Pakistan
TIER 4: North Korea
TIER 1 nuclear powers can literally bully other countries into submission with an aggressive foreign policy, if willing. They pack sufficient nuclear offensive capability to destroy the entire world. Assuming a country-specific nuclear conflict; a TIER 1 nuclear power can hope to effectively neutralize a TIER 2 nuclear power with a good strategy and some element of surprise, and an even lower TIER nuclear power without much challenge.
NOTE: US, in particular, is in ideal position to effectively neutralize a lower TIER nuclear power due to its location and overwhelming technological superiority.
TIER 2 nuclear powers are in the middle-ground; they can deter any country from attacking them under normal circumstances due to their formidable nuclear offensive capability but they are not in the position to ensure MAD with TIER 1 nuclear powers. Assuming a country-specific nuclear conflict; a TIER 2 nuclear power can hope to effectively neutralize a lower TIER nuclear power with a good strategy and some element of surprise.
TIER 3 nuclear powers are formidable regional powers but they are not in the position to ensure MAD with higher TIER nuclear powers and are particularly vulnerable to TIER 1 nuclear powers.
TIER 4 nuclear powers are most vulnerable due to their extremely limited nuclear offensive capability. A relatively considerably superior (conventional) military power can hope to effectively neutralize a TIER 4 nuclear power in a country-specific conflict with a good strategy and some element of surprise.
FYI:
ICAN | International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance | Arms Control Association
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There are some countries that do not have a domestic nuclear weapons program but they have been permitted to host a small stockpile of such weapons under the security umbrella of a strategic alliance (e.g. NATO). These are Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey. This ground reality makes these countries just as formidable as TIER 3 or TIER 4 nuclear powers in the nuclear spectrum, depending upon the level of their borrowed nuclear offensive capability.
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However, if the 'nuclear offensive capability' is entirely ignored, then I find this assessment most comprehensive and well-researched at the moment: Comprehensive Military Power: World’s Top 10 Militaries of 2015 - The Unz Review
Rankings are largely based on available resources. However, social elements such as courage, tactics and professionalism cannot be ranked or measured.
Nonetheless, rankings can offer a general assessment of the war-fighting potential of a country.
My personal assessment of destructive capability of the officially recognized nuclear powers:-
TIER 1: US and Russia
TIER 2: UK, France and China
TIER 3: Israel, India and Pakistan
TIER 4: North Korea
TIER 1 nuclear powers can literally bully other countries into submission with an aggressive foreign policy, if willing. They pack sufficient nuclear offensive capability to destroy the entire world. Assuming a country-specific nuclear conflict; a TIER 1 nuclear power can hope to effectively neutralize a TIER 2 nuclear power with a good strategy and some element of surprise, and an even lower TIER nuclear power without much challenge.
NOTE: US, in particular, is in ideal position to effectively neutralize a lower TIER nuclear power due to its location and overwhelming technological superiority.
TIER 2 nuclear powers are in the middle-ground; they can deter any country from attacking them under normal circumstances due to their formidable nuclear offensive capability but they are not in the position to ensure MAD with TIER 1 nuclear powers. Assuming a country-specific nuclear conflict; a TIER 2 nuclear power can hope to effectively neutralize a lower TIER nuclear power with a good strategy and some element of surprise.
TIER 3 nuclear powers are formidable regional powers but they are not in the position to ensure MAD with higher TIER nuclear powers and are particularly vulnerable to TIER 1 nuclear powers.
TIER 4 nuclear powers are most vulnerable due to their extremely limited nuclear offensive capability. A relatively considerably superior (conventional) military power can hope to effectively neutralize a TIER 4 nuclear power in a country-specific conflict with a good strategy and some element of surprise.
FYI:
ICAN | International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance | Arms Control Association
---
There are some countries that do not have a domestic nuclear weapons program but they have been permitted to host a small stockpile of such weapons under the security umbrella of a strategic alliance (e.g. NATO). These are Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey. This ground reality makes these countries just as formidable as TIER 3 or TIER 4 nuclear powers in the nuclear spectrum, depending upon the level of their borrowed nuclear offensive capability.
---
However, if the 'nuclear offensive capability' is entirely ignored, then I find this assessment most comprehensive and well-researched at the moment: Comprehensive Military Power: World’s Top 10 Militaries of 2015 - The Unz Review
Rankings are largely based on available resources. However, social elements such as courage, tactics and professionalism cannot be ranked or measured.
Nonetheless, rankings can offer a general assessment of the war-fighting potential of a country.
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