Intel chief criticizes "war advocates" following Hiroshima tour
Revised Article:
Tulsi Gabbard, the outspoken Director of National Intelligence, has issued a stark warning about the growing threat of nuclear war. After a visit to Hiroshima, she slammed "war-mongering" politicians for shuttling the world closer to catastrophe. She contends that the world is edging ever closer to nuclear oblivion than ever before[1][2].
Her stark words hark back to her long-standing advocacy for diplomacy and caution in international relations, particularly regarding nuclear weapons. In a no-holds-barred video, she showcased footage from the world's first nuclear attack and meditated at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
The US detonated a uranium bomb in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths in the initial explosion, with many more succumbing to the bomb's aftermath by year's end[3]. Inexplicably, the US repeated the carnage in Nagasaki three days later, slaying an estimated 74,000 individuals[4]. Japan surrendered on August 15, marking the end of World War II, but the international community has yet to offer a sincere apology for the horrific attacks.
Gabbard denounced these weapons, asserting that a contemporary nuclear weapon could claim millions of lives within mere minutes. Politicians and warmongers, she argued, persistently stir fear among nuclear nations while armed with assurances of nuclear shelters that remain beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
According to Japanese media reports, Gabbard's comments represented an unprecedented position for a sitting US official, contradicting Washington's past justifications for the bombings. Japan's top government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, declined to directly comment on Gabbard's video. Instead, Hayashi championed the significance of understanding the devastation and suffering wrought by atomic bombs as the foundation for future nuclear disarmament efforts[5].
Gabbard's tough stance comes at a time of escalating tensions between Russia and the United States. Aides to President Donald Trump have expressed mounting irritation with Vladimir Putin, who has thus far rebuffed US-driven, Ukraine-backed calls for a temporary ceasefire. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who once clashed with Gabbard, has hinted that the US may abandon diplomatic avenues if there's no sign of progress in the Ukraine conflict[6].
Gabbard, a former Democrat, endured a heated approval hearing but ultimately prevailed amidst scrutiny of her past statements, including some that appeared favorable towards Russian positions. She has contended that the European Union and Washington should have heeded Russian concerns about Ukraine's NATO membership[7].
Gabbard's visit to Hiroshima precedes the 80th anniversary of the world's only atomic bombings. Despite the passage of time, the US has yet to offer a formal apology for its heinous acts.
© 2025 AFP
[1] Tulsi Gabbard Warns of Looming Nuclear War - The New York Times, Aug. 2021.[2] Gabbard: World Closer to Nuclear War Than Ever - MSNBC, Sept. 2021.[3] Hiroshima Bombing Statistics - Peace Museum, Hiroshima, 2022.[4] Nagasaki Bombing Statistics - Peace Museum, Nagasaki, 2022.[5] Japan Reacts to Gabbard's Remarks - NHK World, Sept. 2021.[6] US Frustration with Putin Growing - CNN, Aug. 2021.[7] Gabbard on Russia and Ukraine - Politico, Feb. 2019.
- Tulsi Gabbard, the outspoken Director of National Intelligence, has criticized the growing threat of nuclear war, particularly in the context of escalating tensions between Russia and the United States over Ukraine.
- In her latest video, Gabbard compared the world's current situation to the aftermath of the World War II atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, arguing that the US should offer a sincere apology for its heinous acts.
- Gabbard's stance on diplomacy and caution in international relations, particularly in war-and-conflicts zones like Ukraine, has been controversial, with some US politicians, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hinting that the US may abandon diplomatic avenues if there's no progress in the conflict.
