美国在亚洲的盟友应该拥有核武器吗?

AS IT IS 2016-05-12 Should America’s Allies in Asia Have Nuclear Weapons? 美国在亚洲的盟友应该拥有核武器吗?

Some Americans say the United States should consider providing nuclear arms to Japan and South Korea, America’s closest military allies in Asia.

Such Americans could become more influential¹ in U.S. politics if Donald Trump² is elected president.

Trump has won the largest number of delegates in his attempt to become the Republican Party’s presidential candidate.

During the campaign, he has suggested that Japan and South Korea should have the right to arm themselves with nuclear weapons. He has also said the U.S. should consider removing troops from countries that do not agree to pay more for the U.S. military bases on their territory.

This has led some people to question America’s desire to guarantee security in East Asia. It has also strengthened the position of those who say America’s Asian allies should have their own nuclear weapons to protect themselves.

The United States currently has about 28,500 troops in South Korea and 54,000 in Japan. The Japanese government reportedly pays about $1.6 billion to the United States every year for the military bases in Japan. South Korea pays over $866 million for the U.S. bases on its territory.

Some observers say the United States would be in violation³ of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty if it gave nuclear weapons to its allies. The treaty is designed to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.

Moon Keun-Sik works at the Korea Defense⁴ and Security Forum⁵. He says, “If the U.S. allies defend themselves as Trump has said, the alliance will be broken, and it will lead to a nuclear domino (effect) in Asia.”

In the 1960s and 1970s, conservatives in Japan and South Korea sought to develop nuclear weapons in the two countries. They were worried about their security because China had developed nuclear weapons. Their worries have increased because of North Korea’s nuclear activities. But the United States has been able to persuade its allies in Asia to stay under the protection of the American “nuclear umbrella.”

However, Trump’s threat to remove U.S. troops from Asia could increase the power of minority voices in Japan’s Parliament and South Korea’s National Assembly. Those lawmakers say their countries should not depend on the United States for protection.

In January, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test. Reaction came quickly from Won Yoo-chul, the South Korean National Assembly floor leader for the ruling party. He said, “in the face of the North’s fearsome, destructive nuclear weaponry, the time has come for us to have a peaceful nuclear program for self-defense.”

Hiroshi Nunokawais teaches at Hiroshima University in Japan. He said, “If Trump’s statements become a reality, there will be politicians that will agree and a lot will be enthusiastic, I believe.”

Takashi Hiraoka is a peace activist⁶ and a former mayor of Hiroshima -- the first city to be attacked by a nuclear weapon.

He said that if Trump “becomes president, he has to take responsibility for the fate of humankind. He cannot avoid the dangers associated with nuclear weapons.”

Arming South Korea and Japan with nuclear weapons would likely increase tensions in East Asia. It would also end any support from China and Russia for international action as a way to pressure North Korea to end its nuclear program.

While Trump is just a candidate and not yet president, his words are having an effect in Asia. Some people believe what he says could weaken the trust people have in America’s commitment to the area, even if Trump does not intend for that to be the result of his statements.

Daniel Pinkston teaches international relations at Troy University in Seoul. He says “these types of statements and behavior are already doing damage. It is already undermining confidence of the U.S. in East Asia, and in Japan and South Korea in particular.”

Words in This Story

domino effect – n. a situation in which one event causes a series of (sometimes similar) events to happen one after another

umbrella – n. (used figuratively) protection

conduct – n. to plan and do (something, such as an activity)

commitment – n. the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something; a promise to do or give something

undermine – v. to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective, often in a secret or gradual way

1 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

2 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

3 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

6 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。