Nuclear weapons as obstacles to international security

This article argues that nuclear weapons serve no useful purpose in military calculations; moreover, their continued retention invites the dangers of further proliferation and of accidental use. They are thus defined here as obstacles to, rather than as facilitators of, international security. Seven reasons are presented to support this contention, including an assessment of the moral implications and the strategic limitations of nuclear weapons. Despite these limitations, and the recent commitments made by the nuclear weapon states to eliminate their arsenals, nuclear weapons remain central to the strategic doctrines of these states. Several reasons are put forward to explain why this retention continues, including the unchanging nature of strategic mindsets, the presence of vested interests, and now, in the case of the USA at least, a renewed reliance on nuclear weapons, regardless of how appropriate and effective such a strategy might be against emerging terrorist or `rogue state' threats.

Annual report of the Postmaster General : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, first session, September 16, 1999.

Shipping list no.: 2000-0270-P.

The annual report of the Postmaster General : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session, July 13, 2000.

Shipping list no.: 2001-0042-P.

Guidelines for the relocation, closing, consolidation, or construction of post offices : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, first session, October 7, 1999.

Shipping list no.: 2000-0251-P.

Third Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [microform] : hearing before the subcommittees on Arms Control, International Security, and Science and on International Economic Policy and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-ninth Congress, first session, August 1, 1985.

CIS Microfiche Accession Numbers: CIS 86 H381-49

An examination of the report of the House Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People's Republic of China : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, first session, May 26, 1999.

Shipping list no.: 2000-0165-P.

Iran's ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs : hearing before the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session, September 21, 2000.

Shipping list no.: 2001-0124-P.

The future of the ABM treaty : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, first session, April 28, 1999.

Shipping list no.: 2000-0165-P.

The issuance of semipostal stamps by the U.S. Postal Service : hearing before the International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session, May 25, 2000.

Shipping list no.: 2001-0052-P.

Legislative hearing on S. 346, a bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish a governmentwide policy requiring a competition in certain procurements from federal prison industries : hearing before the Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security Subcommittee of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, second session, April 7, 2004.

Shipping list no.: 2005-0086-P.

Mutual security act of 1951 : hearings before the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, Eighty-second Congress, first session, on S. 1762, a bill to promote the foreign policy and provide for the defense and general welfare of the United States by furnishing assistance to friendly nations in the interest of international security.

Hearings held: July 26-Aug. 9, 1951.

International security and development cooperation program.

"April 1984."

International security and development cooperation program : April 4, 1983.

Mode of access: Internet.

Proposed U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia : hearing before the Subcommittees on International Security and Scientific Affairs and on Europe and the Middle East of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session, December 12, 1979.

Mode of access: Internet.

Overview of nuclear arms control and defense strategy in NATO : hearings before the Subcommittees on International Security and Scientific Affairs and on Europe and the Middle East of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, second session, February 23, March 18 and 22, 1982.

Mode of access: Internet.