Armageddon

Col. Harry G. Summers Jr. column (“Gulf Outcome Backs Israel Into a Corner,” Op-Ed Page, Aug. 4) concludes with the possibility that Israel might be tempted to use nuclear weapons if forced to the wall in a war. With the number of nuclear club member nations constantly on the increase, the possibility of Col. Summers’ Armageddon becomes more of a reality, whether Israel, or any other member of the club, is backed into a corner.

Mankind’s recourse against the threat of extinction is to change our way of thinking with respect to war--or indeed any other form of violence. Nuclear proliferation has made war an obsolete means of resolving conflict among nations. Hopefully, worldwide public opinion will inspire nations to follow the leadership of President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in reduction of weapons and, ultimately, the abandonment of any form of warfare.

BENNETT L. NEWMAN

Pacific Palisades