[neilv]

> We'd be in for a really rough future if that arsenal ended up in the hands of a corrupt dictator who consolidated power to the point of eliminating any possible succession plan, thus guaranteeing a massive crisis when he inevitably died of old age.

If you're going to be a corrupt dictator, that perceived dead man's switch of succession chaos is a good way to die of old age?

[philwelch]

Absolutely. Well played on his part.