Vision Free, or Nuclear Free World?

Michaela Bendikova and Owen Graham / June 21, 2010

The idea of going down the road to “nuclear-zero” is as old as nuclear weapons themselves. Steps were first proposed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by the United States in the aftermath of the Second World War. The plan was rejected by the Soviet Union as the country was already developing its own nuclear weapon covertly.

Supporters often underscore the moral argument, stemming from the statutory obligation under Article VI of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It calls upon “ … general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.”

In nuclear matters, the Obama Administration is operating under the assumption that if the U.S. leads, others will follow. Unfortunately, while the United States and Russia have drastically reduced their respective arsenals since the end of the Cold War, more countries have achieved nuclear status and more still have continued in their quest. The lower number of nuclear weapons, the more unstable the international situation gets. (more…)