Nuclear arms limitation and disarmament

Ever since the invention of nuclear weapons, it has been recognized that they pose a danger to the very survival of mankind. Among the measures that have been proposed in subsequent decades to avert that danger have been the limitation, reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems; the cessation of the production of nuclear weapons; the cut-off of the production of fissionable material for weapons purposes; the restriction or prohibition of the deployment by nuclear-weapon States of nuclear weapons on the territories of other States; and a freeze on nuclear weapons. Yet the number and destructive capability of nuclear weapons have continuously increased, amounting to what has been called “ overkill capacity” In addition to the 5 nuclear-weapon States, China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, from 15 to 25 other States are believed to be able to develop a rudimentary nuclear weapon, should they decide to do so.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament