Political Science Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-25-2021
Journal
Hill Times
Abstract
The article emphasizes Canada's ongoing responsibility to actively engage in nuclear disarmament negotiations. Despite NATO's collective opposition, there is a call for Canada to consider the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and support the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The TPNW, endorsed by 122 nations, aims to establish a legally binding process to ban nuclear weapons, yet Canada and its NATO allies voted against it. The treaty reached the necessary ratifications to enter into force in January 2021, marking a significant step toward global nuclear disarmament. Critics argue that NATO's stance does not absolve its members from their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to work towards disarmament. The upcoming NPT Review Conferences in 2021 and 2025 will be crucial in addressing the accountability crisis surrounding nuclear disarmament commitments. The article warns of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of even a limited nuclear exchange and stresses the need for renewed global efforts to move away from nuclear deterrence. It also highlights the potential for NATO allies like Canada to lead a review of NATO's nuclear policies, advocating for more intense dialogues on nuclear abolition. The article concludes that global leaders must be condemned for nuclear threats and that a shift towards nuclear disarmament is essential to prevent nuclear proliferation and ensure global security.
Notes
First published in The Hill Times, Canada' foremost foreign and defense policy magazine.