Owls: Out on a Limb

The aviary of nuclear-arms-control experts has long been populated by just two types of birds: hawks and doves. Lately, however, a new species is flapping about on op-ed pages: the owl. Hawks are concerned that war will break out because the U.S. is too weak; doves fear that the arms race will provoke an attack. Owls argue that the greatest danger lies not in too many missiles or too few but in the risk that humans will by mistake or miscalculation launch them.

The term was coined by a covey of professors at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government--Joseph S....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!