The Role of Non-Weapon States in Nuclear Disarmament
The elimination of nuclear weapons is not only a task for countries with nuclear weapons – it cannot be accomplished without key non-weapon states
While nuclear weapon states continue to debate the complexities of eliminating their arsenals, they would be well advised to consider and consult non-nuclear players in the process. The final volume in the Stimson Center country series examines the policies of three non-nuclear states toward a nuclear disarming world, including papers by authors Professor Matake Kamiya, Ambassador Marcos de Azambuja, and Dr. Henri J. Barkey in Unblocking the Road to Zero – Volume VI: Brazil, Japan, and Turkey.
While none of these states possess nuclear weapons, each has specific interests that affect their willingness to participate in a movement toward global zero. Both Japan and Turkey are covered by the United States’ extended deterrent and some officials in each of those nations fear that a disarming United States could change their security calculus. While Brazil does not have this security guarantee, it had a program to develop nuclear weapons in the past and has significant commercial aspirations in the civilian nuclear fuel cycle; as such, it, too, will have a significant voice on disarmament issues.
In partnership with the World Security Institute, Stimson’s project on Nuclear Security seeks to examine the obstacles blocking the path to zero nuclear weapons in order to help all responsible governments perceive negotiated nuclear disarmament as a viable and practical policy option.