Nuclear Nonproliferation and the Changing Global Order
April 2009
Across politics, economics, culture, military strength, and more, a new group of countries has growing influence over the future of the world. And a number of issues vital to US and global security are rapidly evolving due to a changing global order. Rising Powers: The New Global Reality, takes an in-depth look at the rapidly changing global order and what it means for the US. This article is a part of a series related to this Stanley Foundation effort.
The international system for stopping the spread of nuclear weapons has worked surprisingly well. Before the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) came into force in 1970, experts predicted dozens of countries would eventually be producing nuclear weapons. But today, because of the NPT and other international agreements, only nine countries appear to have that technology.
Unfortunately, the current global nuclear security system is falling apart. Some countries view nuclear weapons as both the ultimate defensive weapon and the key to securing a voice on the global stage. Meanwhile, the inability of Russia and the US (by far the largest holders of nuclear weapons) to make progress on nuclear disarmament has provided other countries a handy excuse for delaying action on a wide range of nuclear security issues.
The US and Russia, however, have just announced intentions to significantly reduce their nuclear arsenals, and President Barack Obama has embraced an effort to create a nuclear weapons free world. But even with these positive developments, a common characteristic of today's nuclear threats is their connectedness with the changing global order.
The foundation's Rising Powers special Web feature has more about nuclear nonproliferation including audio, interviews, and suggested articles from around the world.
Please send us your thoughts about nuclear nonproliferation, the changing global order, and the materials offered in our Rising Powers effort. Comments may be reprinted on the Web, in this newsletter, and in related materials.
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