ZERO NUCLEAR WEAPONS: The Pragmatic Path to Security

The current nuclear nonproliferation order is no longer sustainable. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has weakened considerably over the years, with nuclear have-nots displaying increased dissatisfaction with the status quo. Meanwhile, demands for civilian nuclear technol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Nonproliferation review 2010-11, Vol.17 (3), p.569-575
Main Authors: Blechman, Barry M., Bollfrass, Alexander K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arms Control
Arms limitation
Atomic weapons
Disarmament
Nuclear nonproliferation
Nuclear Proliferation
Nuclear Weapons
nuclear zero
Security
Technology
Treaties
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
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Summary:The current nuclear nonproliferation order is no longer sustainable. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has weakened considerably over the years, with nuclear have-nots displaying increased dissatisfaction with the status quo. Meanwhile, demands for civilian nuclear technology have led to increased proliferation risks in the form of dual-use technologies. Arms control as we currently understand it-piecemeal treaties and agreements-is no longer sufficient to address the growing threat of proliferation and the frailty of the NPT. This article calls for a bolder nonproliferation agenda pursuing multilateral nuclear disarmament. Disarmament is, in fact, technologically achievable; a lack of political will stands as the only remaining roadblock to a world free of nuclear weapons. A better understanding of the technological feasibility of disarmament, as well as recognition of the diminishing strategic value of nuclear weapons, will help to erode this political reluctance.
ISSN:1073-6700
1746-1766
DOI:10.1080/10736700.2010.517008