Is global disarmament the only way out? Will that ideal ever be feasible in a realpolitik world?
The political conditions required for global disarmament are daunting. Rather than focus on this end state, I prefer to work on smaller steps that are achievable, keeping in mind the ultimate goal. The entire justification for dividing the world between nuclear powers and non-powers is the NPT deal of 1968? But how valid is a treaty that arbitrarily divides the world that has so dramatically changed since then, and is still changing? Can any treaty ever be permanent when nothing else is? The value of the NPT can be judged by its adherents. Other than North Korea, over 175 treaty adherents continue to see value in this bulwark against proliferation. Article VI of the Treaty also provides the only legally-binding commitment by the nuclear weapon states to progressively reduce and eliminate their nuclear arsenals. Those of us who are working toward nuclear disarmament in the NWS (nuclear weapon states) find this very helpful. Is this not the best time for the entire world to disarm, and p
