Un articolo di Foreign Policy (link alternativo) contesta l’idea che l’uso dell’atomica contro il Giappone nella seconda guerra mondiale sia stata il fattore determinante per portarlo alla resa. Secondo Ward Wilson, la ragione principale fu la dichiarazione di guerra sovietica e l’invasione della Manciuria e dell’isola di Sakhalin.

Japan had signed a five-year neutrality pact with the Soviets in April of 1941, which would expire in 1946. A group consisting mostly of civilian leaders and led by Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori hoped that Stalin might be convinced to mediate a settlement between the United States and its allies on the one hand, and Japan on the other. Even though this plan was a long shot, it reflected sound strategic thinking.

Immagine da Wikimedia.