Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb!

[saintpeter48]

Did this not bring an end to WW2? Millions of innocent Japanese were killed but it did bring an end to the war, Japan is now a leading figure in world affairs and technology, and they certainly do not hold it against the USA and the rest of the Western World as to what happened 70 years ago! My very controversial question is, would the same happen if the bomb was dropped on the so called 'Islamic State'!!

[vetuste_ennemi]

Don't encourage him, Jom.

[jomifl]

V_E, The catholic church has killed more people than atomic bombs have.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Sure, but I was questioning the premise (or rather the implied premise) in the OP, Jom. Grayling cites some of the arguments about the deployment ofthe bomb. One advisor, for instance, suggested dropping the bomb on an uninhabited island near Japan. He doesn't say why this suggestion was rejected. That Japanese militarism and its associated atrocities provide an unambiguous casus belli is a point I readily concede, but, in themselves, they should not inform, far less prescribe the means of ending it. Such is a practical question: how best to end the conflict? Grayling's point (obviously there will be historians who disagree with him - and I am not competent to adjudicate between the two views) is that: (a) bombing the cities wasn't necessary in the first place; and (b), even if it were, that the power of the bomb could have been demonstrated without immediate loss of civilian life.
Thanks to Saint Peter (never thought I'd hear myself saying that) for his question which reminded me of the Grayling debate (which also ihas the late Christopher Hitchens as a participant). Have just ordered the Grayling boook on the subject (Only £3 on Amazon).

[vetuste_ennemi]

"Among the Dead Cities".

[jomifl]

V_E, I don't know how many atomic bombs the Americans had but I think they wanted the message to be unambiguous. The problem with bombing an uninhabited island is that the Japanese authorities could either cover it up (they are still covering up many of their deeds in the war) or see it as a sign of weakness or failure, and be encouraged to continue the struggle even more. There is little point in 'speaking quietly and carrying a big stick' if your enemies cannot see that you are prepared to use it. I will be interested to hear if the book has any new insights. :o)