IP: do you sleep better at night )from Risks)

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: 13 May 1997 12:00:42 GMT
From: mdw24 () cl cam ac uk (Matt Welsh)
Subject: Russian nuclear warheads armed by computer malfunction


The *Washington Times* reported Monday that computer malfunctions have
recently switched Russian nuclear weapons to 'combat mode', according to a
13-page classified CIA report. This could increase the risk of accidental
launch, although U.S. state officials are quoted as saying that they believe
Russian nuclear weapons to still be under the central control of Moscow --
and that additional codes held are still required to launch the weapons.


As is usual for mass-media coverage of these events very few facts are clear
from the report. U.S. officials have been downplaying the report, and the
fact the additional launch codes (controlled by Moscow) are still required
for any nuclear attack should not be a comfort to any readers of RISKS.


M. Welsh, currently at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.