Myths and Reality of the Nuclear Weapons Ban

Abstract

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which entered into force on 22 January 2021, sets an ambitious target of achieving a comprehensive ban on any nuclear-weapons-related activity, ranging from research and development, testing, production, deployment – to threat or their actual use in anger. However, with multiple states ranging from those in possession of nuclear weapons and those allied with them by security arrangements, to others, even including victims of adverse effects of uncontrollable release of nuclear energy, indicating unwillingness to join the Treaty, it is unlikely to become a viable means of promoting international peace and security. To enhance international security and strategic stability, regulation of nuclear weapons, including restrictions and prohibitions, should not be achieved at the expense of, and to the detriment of existing or nascent regulatory regimes, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, assuming the latter eventually becomes effective, regional nuclear-weapon-free zones, as well as non-treaty regimes designed to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapon technologies, fissile materials or delivery systems.