Disruptive technologies and nuclear weapons

Abstract

The current security environment faces two major challenges. On the one hand, the international arms control and security architecture are deteriorating. Doctrinal innovations, first in Russia and then in the United States, allow for limited use of nuclear weapons, including potentially the low-yield varieties. On the other hand, advanced conventional weapons, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies increase the risk of conflict, which could escalate to the nuclear level. As risks increase, the political will to pursue cooperative solutions to prevent arms race and war continues to diminish. Some nuclear states are even reluctant to recommit to the Reagan-Gorbachev statement that “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”