Path to Nuclear Disarmament: Current Issues and Challenges
The nuclear disarmament: Progress and obstacles are deeply intertwined, creating a convoluted path for global powers to chart. Though the eventual aim—eliminating all nuclear weapons—is laudable and important for global peace and security, the obstacles faced along the way are numerous and significant. The use of nuclear weapons has, since the cold war, been seen as a dangerous possibility—one that must be mitigated, ideally through complete nuclear disarmament.
Nuclear Nonproliferation: The United States and Russia
It’s no secret that the United States and Russia have had differing views regarding nuclear disarmament and arms control. However, the New START Treaty symbolizes a hope of these nuclear weapon states joining forces for the first time in history towards reducing their nuclear arsenals. Nonetheless, the reduction of nuclear weapons, without achieving complete nuclear disarmament, can still be seen as progress.
In accordance to the New START Treaty, both nations agreed to strategies of reducing their deployed nuclear weapons, even in the face of criticism. The US and Russia, which together possess the greatest number of weapons of mass destruction, have the pivotal role in nuclear arms control and disarmament, as they account for over 90% of the world’s total nuclear weapons. The treaty entry into force has signaled a desire for these superpowers to commit to peace.