Chapter 3 - Regional Initiatives Toward a Nuclear Weapons Free World: The Case of Nuclear Weapons Free Zones

Abstract

Nuclear weapons free zones (NWFZs) are one of the most important and effective, as well as underexplored, ways to advance nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. They are a staple in the global nuclear order, contributing not only to regional and world peace, but also to regional and global security and stability. In times past, NWFZs evolved out of a regional perception of an existing or imminent nuclear threat that required regional groups to create binding treaties to ban the use, storage, and testing of nuclear weapons in their region. Although countries within the four areas of the world that are not protected by an NWFZ are faced with an existing nuclear threat based on the mere existence of nuclear weapons on their territory, there have been very limited efforts to turn these regions into NWFZs. While there have been discussions about creating a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone in the Middle East and a denuclearized Korean Peninsula in recent years, political tensions and difficulties have stalled both endeavors. This chapter analyzes the main provisions of NWFZs before providing a historical overview of the evolution of NWFZs and how they relate to the recognized nuclear weapons states. It concludes with a discussion on current efforts for the establishment of future NWFZs.