Nuclear states will ignore arms ban treaty

Subject

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Significance

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) opens for signature on September 20. While proponents of the treaty argue it provides a much-needed jolt towards the ‘global zero’ goal of a world without nuclear weapons, its opponents contend that it does not align with geopolitical realities and will undermine the global nuclear order.

Impacts

• Profound disagreements between participating states are likely to derail the 2020 NPT Review Conference, as in 2005 and 2015.
• Domestic controversy is likely to dog governments backing Washington's nuclear umbrella over international disarmament initiatives.
• Nuclear-armed states are likely to underscore the legitimacy of their arsenals.