If at one time the United States possessed what might have been called a monopoly of atomic power, that monopoly ceased to exist several years ago. Therefore, although our earlier start has permitted us to accumulate what is today a great quantitative advantage, the atomic realities of today comprehend two facts of even greater significance. First, the knowledge now possessed by several nations will eventually be shared by others, possibly all others.
Response to Classmate I agree with your point about fear shaping U.S. policy. NSC-68 makes it seem like the government believed any weakness would help the Soviet Union. I think that fear made military spending seem necessary, even if it also created new problems later.