Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)

Since the invention of nuclear weapons, they have presented the world with a significant danger, one that was shown in reality during the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, nuclear weapons have not only served in combat, but they have also played a role in keeping the world peaceful by the concept of deterrence. The usage of nuclear weapons would lead to mutual destruction and during the Cold War, nuclear weapons were necessary to maintain international security, as a means of deterrence. However, by the end of the Cold War, reliance on nuclear weapons for maintaining peace became increasingly difficult and less effective (Shultz, et. al, 2007). The development of technology has also provided increasing opportunities for states

Two main theorists of international relations, Kenneth Waltz and Scott Sagan have been debating on the issue of nuclear weapons and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the 21st century. In their book The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: An Enduring Debate, they both discuss their various theories, assumptions and beliefs on nuclear proliferation and nuclear weapons. To examine why states would want to attain/develop a nuclear weapon and if increasing nuclear states is a good or bad thing. In my paper, I will discuss both of their theories and use a case study to illustrate which theory I agree with and then come up with possible solutions of preventing a nuclear war from occurring.

The development and use of nuclear weapons in 1945 changed not only warfare, but how countries approach warfare as a whole. As Andrew Heywood notes in his book, Global Politics, says that there’s a tendency “for any weapons to proliferate” or spread. With that knowledge it should be assumed that many nations would want to obtain nuclear weapons after seeing what the power that they hold. A state being in possession of a nuclear weapon can deter potential enemies and make them a power on the global scale. The Cold War era and post- Cold War era both saw an in increase in the spread of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, after the US first used a nuclear weapon in 1945, states that gained nuclear capabilities were the France, the UK, China and the Soviet Union. Post – Cold War era India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea all gained nuclear weapons and shows the problem with proliferation of them. India and Pakistan are neighboring states and rivals which can lead to the possibility that they could be used at any moment. North Korea is a dangerous militaristic state that constantly threatens other states. This illustrates that the spread of nuclear weapons is a global problem because nuclear proliferation can possibly put WMDS, weapons of mass destruction, in the hands of rival states or extremely dangerous nations. There’s also the possibility of them falling into the hands of non state actors such as terrorists groups. Nuclear proliferation and nuclear disarmament/arms

In 21st century, both the United Kingdom and France have recently initiated programs to revitalize their nuclear complexes and maintain their nuclear forces well. What's about in the U.S.? Nuclear forces continue to represent the ultimate deterrent capability that supports U.S. national security. Both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and in Asia, assure allies and friends of the credibility of U.S. security commitments. However, in loophole of the nuclear umbrella agreement, non-nuclear states might develop and deploy their own nuclear capability. U.S. announced

A treaty was signed that prohibited the creation of defenses for nuclear weapons due to an advantage they might have if a nuclear war was to start. “The ABM Treaty, signed in 1972, prohibits the use of defensive systems that might give an advantage to one side in a nuclear war”

Since the deployment of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the world has been threatened by nuclear weapons. Although there has not been a nuclear accident, the risk of having one is not impossible. Presently the world has enough nuclear warheads to wipe out all civilization. As technology advanced, more sophisticated and deadly nuclear weapons were built. More countries have nuclear capabilities than there were 50 years ago. As dangerous as nuclear weapons may seem, many have believed that nuclear deterrence had prevented danger of war during period of Cold War. Now that the cold war has ended and Russia is struggling in their economy and the relationship between US and Russia has improved, should

The Cold War is over and some people believe that we do not need nuclear deterrence anymore. The U.S.S.R has fallen and Russia poses little threat to launch a nuclear attack on the United States. Because of this, Russia and the United States have begun disarming their nuclear weapons. The United States has reduced its nuclear stockpile of warheads from 31,265 in 1965 to about 10,455 in 2002, enough to use for deterrence ("Table of . . . "). This disarming agreement is only between these two countries and they will continue to keep a minimum number of these nuclear warheads to deter other countries. They realize that they are not a threat to each other,

Understanding what role exists for nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War world requires an appreciation for the strategic concepts that defined Cold War nuclear strategy, as well as the applicability of those concepts to the contemporary world. Cold War nuclear strategy was almost entirely concerned with the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union, and thus the central strategic concept to arise from this period was the notion of deterrence. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ongoing proliferation of nuclear weapons, the utility of deterrence as a central nuclear security strategy is in question, even as the threat posed by the mere existence of nuclear weapons increases.

Seventy five years prior to today, nuclear weapons were born into the world, and seventy one years ago they were first used on an opponent. The United States used nuclear weapons for the purpose of defeating the Axis Powers of the Second World War. Only to, continue their employment as deterrence against a towering Soviet Union. Thus began the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviets. The purpose, to achieve supremacy in nuclear warfare, throughout the arms race several other countries developed nuclear capabilities. Eventually, both sides held enough nuclear power to annihilate the other, regardless of a successful first hit. Halting the use of nuclear weapons, because of the fear of the capability to retaliate and suffer the same fate. Following the Cold War, several countries were left with nuclear capabilities possessing a serious threat, and the understanding of the grave consequences if chosen to employ them. Concluding nuclear weapons were a means of security and deterrence against other states.

There is in neither customary nor conventional international law any specific authorization of the threat or use of nuclear weapons.

Particularly, this strategy was implemented to prevent nuclear attack by these nations. Simply speaking, deterrence nearly guaranties mutual destruction through retaliation to the nations who attack with nuclear weapons and those who are attacked. The deterrence strategy allows for the creation of nuclear arms in order to maintain an arsenal enough for defense of the country. Deterrence in the United States provides safety for both the US and its allies. While this belief has a logical reason for nuclear weapon creation, the US and other countries should work to abolish this precedent to allow for a complete nuclear weapon free world.

Nuclear arms can easily be classified as weapons of mass destruction, as they destroy all ecosystems that come in contact with it in a matter of seconds, this fairly new and evolving breed of warfare is continuously becoming a bigger threat to society due to the fact that; the government can turn to nuclear power if opposing countries do not comply with their needs. The Cold War was essentially defined by nuclear weapons and the nuclear arm race between United States and the Soviet Union. A high degree of anxiety existed between the two superpowers and millions of citizens around the world were put to risk by nuclear arm race. The use of these nuclear weapons were exceedingly destructive and the consequences were so enormous that the protection of human rights were questioned. However the use of these weapons were merely to prevent their use by others. In other words nuclear weapons were devices of deterrence not warfighting. There was a mutual nuclear weapon ownership with both states possessing nuclear weapons, therefore the odds of war dropped quickly. Both superpowers quickly came to the realization that nuclear war between the two countries could lead to a devastation effect on the world which concluded the cold war. “From 1968 the only universal treaty that stops the spread of nuclear weapons is the Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with about 130 members. China is a nuclear weapon state but not a party to the treaty. Also missing are India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina

The treaty of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons is the basis for the nonproliferation regime. Nonproliferation has three reinforcing pillars; they are the peaceful use of nuclear, nonproliferation and disarmament. These stop the spread of nuclear weapons internationally. The reason for non-proliferation treaty is “countries with nuclear weapons will move towards disarmament; countries without nuclear weapons will not acquire them; and all countries can access peaceful nuclear

The Cold War was a time of great tension all over the world. From 1945 to 1989, the United States was the leader and nuclear power and was competing with the Soviet Union to create huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons. However, even though the Cold War ended, nuclear weapons are still a threat. Countries around the world strive to create nuclear power, and they do not promise to use it for peaceful purposes. Some examples of the struggles caused by nuclear weapons include the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Iran’s recent nuclear weapon program. Surely, nuclear weapons have created conflict all over the world since the Cold War era.

There is also a Treaty on Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in Central Asia and in Africa back in 2009. The Treaty was to call all states of Central Asia and Africa to sign and exhort nuclear weapons and contribute a more strengthens the NPT and achieves nuclear disarmament. In a statement made by OPANAL of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the Council said, “the military denuclearization of vast geographical zones, adopted by the sovereign decision of the States comprised therein, will exercise a beneficial influence on other regions where similar conditions exist” (OPANAL, 2009). In other words, this propaganda will be an important step the strengthen nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and also the upgrade of regional and international peace and