Is the NPT Still Relevant? – How to Progress the NPT’s Disarmament Provisions

• Main Author: John Carlson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament
• Subjects: Nuclear weapons; non-proliferation; disarmament; arms control; safeguards
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/25751654.2019.1611187

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. However, the question is the NPT still relevant? may suggest that the importance of NPT has been forgotten. Indeed, lack of progress in nuclear disarmament has led some critics to question the value of the NPT. While frustration at the failure of the nuclear-weapon states to meet their NPT disarmament obligations is understandable, political attacks on the NPT itself are extremely short-sighted. Non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament are inextricably linked, there will be no disarmament if there is no confidence in non-proliferation, and weakening the non-proliferation regime is in no-one’s interest. The absence of disarmament efforts has prompted the negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This treaty has reinvigorated discussion on nuclear disarmament, but its impact is uncertain. Disarmament requires a collaborative approach between the nuclear-armed states and the non-nuclear-weapon states. A major diplomatic effort is needed on these issues: all states need to be more aware of the security benefits they derive from the NPT; and the nuclear-armed states must make a serious commitment to reducing the risks of nuclear weapons and pursuing disarmament, not only to meet NPT commitments but because disarmament is in their own interest.