Rovelli's Controversial Stance on Rearmament
In his new book 85 Seconds to Midnight, Italian theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli argues against rearming in the face of the Russian threat. He dismisses the idea that Russia poses a military threat to Europe, noting that Russia has only 4% of global military spending compared to NATO's 40%. However, Russia possesses over 4,000 nuclear warheads, making it the world's largest stockpiler. Rovelli emphasizes that mutual fear, not aggression, is the core problem, leading to a cycle of arming and aggression.
The St Petersburg Bombing and Nuclear Risks
Rovelli highlights a recent incident where Ukrainian forces, using NATO weapons, bombed St Petersburg and attempted to bomb Moscow. He calls this the first time a nuclear superpower has been bombed, creating a dangerous precedent from the Kremlin's perspective. He argues that this fuels Russian fears of Western aggression, reminiscent of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis when US missiles in Turkey prompted Soviet missiles in Cuba.
Fear as a Driver of Conflict
Rovelli contends that fear drives aggression on all sides, drawing parallels to Nazi Germany's rhetoric of weakness in Mein Kampf and current Middle Eastern conflicts. He criticizes leaders for lacking the wisdom of Kennedy, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, and Reagan, who de-escalated nuclear tensions. He calls for a shift from national strength to global betterment, asking which politician has the courage to prioritize humanity over their own country.
A Physicist's Perspective on Nuclear Weapons
Rovelli acknowledges that physicists created nuclear weapons as a "poisoned gift" but notes that scientists have been effective in raising awareness about nuclear risks. He cites the Manhattan Project, motivated by a false belief that Nazi Germany was developing an atomic bomb, leading to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rovelli condemns these bombings as unnecessary, arguing that Japan had already lost the war, and criticizes the rationale of saving American lives at the cost of hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians.
Personal Background and Pacifism
Rovelli's pacifism stems from his youth in Italy, where he was jailed for refusing the draft. He recalls that fascism glorified war, and he rejects such narratives. On Iran, he suggests that the country would not seek nuclear weapons if it did not feel threatened, advocating for compromises rather than absolute rights.
The book's title references the Doomsday Clock set at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest ever to nuclear catastrophe. Rovelli believes that current leaders lack the good sense of their predecessors, increasing the risk of Armageddon.
