Global Security – Nuclear Disarmament Without Exception

August 6, 2013

By Padmini Arhant

The White House issued statement prior to G-8 summit in Northern Ireland on June 17, 2013 that President Barack Obama is scheduled to address U.S. nuclear weapons reduction by third and negotiate with counterpart Russia for similar contraction.

President Barack Obama in his Berlin speech on June 19, 2013 expressed desire to downsize nuclear arsenals and minimize tactical weapons in Europe held on United States behalf through NATO alliance.

Furthermore, United States and Russia signed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) calls for limiting nuclear warheads to 1550 by the year 2018.

Meanwhile, Washington continues to strengthen strategic nuclear weapons capability ranging from interception to various offensive interventions.

The Obama administration 2014 budget proposal targeting nuclear non-proliferation programs with drastic cuts at 20 percent i.e. $460 million below the existing $2.45 billion and,

In juxtapose reallocating the fund towards nuclear surge by 7 percent or $500 million above the prevalent $7.227 billion to be expended in weapons modernization and uranium enrichment for nuclear warheads in a new facility contributes to nuclear arms race increasing volatility in the war fatigued surrounding.

Notwithstanding White House misplaced priorities during gloomy economic climate exacerbating American families plight.

Washington’s paradoxical paradigm detouring from defusing nuclear proliferation to profuse production necessitates Russia and other nuclear states to consider comparable preparation.

The subcritical nuclear test on plutonium shock absorbency to chemical explosives titled Pollux conducted in Nevada desert in December 2012 is direct contradiction to United States and western policy on nuclear testing traditionally used as premise to impose economic sanctions against nations like North Korea and earlier on India and Pakistan accused of enhancing nuclear status.

In fact, United States generous funding towards nuclear warheads development and advancement has spiked recently in the last four years while demanding other nuclear states to refrain from such accumulation and expansion.

United States incumbent administration pivot to Asia doctrine aimed at provocation demonstrated in Korean peninsula with redeployment of 23rd Chemical battalion used in biological warfare amid flying B-52 and B-2 nuclear capable bombers during military drill with South Korea represent aggressive tactics displaying weapons of mass destruction in possession.

The Pentagon report on United States nuclear strategy stated to maintain nuclear capable bombers, ballistic missile submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in addition to ongoing annual investments estimated at $31 billion in sustaining nuclear stockpile and infrastructure.

Above all the grim reality on nuclear arms attributed to five major nuclear nations – United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

These countries as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) permanent members with veto power evidently accelerate nuclear weapons program rather than deterrence.

Their decision to upgrade nuclear inventory quality and quantity in the absence of accountability for violation of international standards and protocol that otherwise apply to several nuclear and non-nuclear members in the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) serve as the reason for nuclear states India, Pakistan and North Korea non-participation in NPT.

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) assessment on contemporary nuclear status published in June 2013,

The five prominent nuclear states – United States, Britain, France, Russia and China are engaged in improving nuclear weapons delivery systems and techniques with arrangement to own nuclear arsenals indefinitely.

SIPRI data claims that United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel approximately have 4,400 operational nuclear weapons and the combined total of these nations nuclear warheads is a staggering 17, 300 in early 2013.

In specific reference to Israel – The non signatory to NPT having declined inspections remain in non-compliance of existing rules and regulations despite holding 200 to 400 nuclear warheads with 80 intact nuclear weapons comprising 50 Jericho II medium-range ballistic missiles and 30 gravity bombs at disposal.

Israel also positioned in non-strategic weapons, not excluding artillery shells and atomic demolition munitions per SIPRI.

United States nuclear stock held in safekeeping with NATO allies viz. Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Turkey to name a few and simultaneously in Asia Pacific the nuclear consignment in South Korea and Japan essentially qualifies these nations as nuclear states as well.

Yet another dimension to nuclear dilemma is nuclear energy pursued as alternative source to fossil fuel that creates controversy regarding uranium enrichment and classifications to prevent weapons manufacturing due to precedence in the course considered routine in elevation from preliminary process to productivity.

Not to mention the contentious nuclear waste management and radioactive material leaks endangering environment as well as citizens lives with catastrophic impact experienced in Chernobyl and subsequently in Fukushima and lately in Hanford Site located on Columbia River in the state of Washington.

The hierarchy in nuclear empowerment asserting responsible vs. reckless category when those aligned in the former group notably behind humanitarian disaster in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq and now Syria evade responsibility.

These nuclear powers in their quest for geopolitical dominance escalate risks involved in potential nuclear attacks against any nation worldwide.

The solution to burgeoning nuclear crises is Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in conjunction with Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) enforcement as the initial step towards universal commitment to nuclear disarmament.

Collective action along with independent monitoring committee on mandatory denuclearization without exception is a necessity for global peace and security.

History is testimony to foregone conclusion that nuclear armament benefits none and reliance on deadly dynamite would blind the world in entirety.

Wishing humanity success in the establishment of nuclear free planet.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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