THE NUCLEAR ORDER UNDER STRESS

Abstract


 
 
 
 The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) has been labelled the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. However, through its reaffirmation of the inalienable right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the treaty encompasses the main elements of the nuclear phenomenon, the most pressing ones being the need to rid humanity of nuclear weapons while preventing the emergence of new nuclear-armed states. As such, the NPT constitutes a beacon for the advancement of international peace and security understood not just as the mere absence of war and conflict, but an underlying global condition enabling cooperation for the economic, social and cultural development of humankind. Disturbingly, the deterioration of the international political environment due to great -and regional- power competition and the increased pugnacity displayed by some states to pursue their national interests have raised the risk of nuclear confrontation and increased the danger of further nuclear and conventional proliferation, putting the nuclear order at risk. We posit that such risk and dangers require diplomatic action from non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS) concerting efforts in every multilateral fora but, particularly, the United Nations.