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This print version has been auto-generated from http://www.globalissues.org/issue/66/arms-control
I have seen how easy it is for nuclear contamination to occur, and how hard it is to clean it up…. Do nations possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons because of fear of attack from some other nation, or is it mainly because without them the stronger cannot otherwise exploit the weaker?
— Andreas Toupadakis, quoted by Institute for Public Accuracy Press Release1, February 23, 2000. (Andreas Toupadakis had recently resigned from the “Stockpile Stewardship” program on nuclear weapons and worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He was critical of US Nuclear policy.)
As the more powerful countries show less commitment to reducing their own arms substantially and continue to pursue their own “national interests”, they affect many others around the world.
- This has led to an increase in resentment against them.
- One option for nations that feel threatened has been to improve their defensive capabilities and increase arms purchases and spending.
- Neighboring countries will often feel the pressure to keep up, “just in case.”
- The military industrial complexes of the wealthier (and more powerful) nations will highlight how so many other countries have increasingly sophisticated weapons (often sold by the wealthier and more powerful nations!) and how that means that they should consider urgently increasing their own military spending and proliferation.
- An increase in arms leads to an arms race and an increase in insecurity.
Many nations around the world today possess, or have the means to procure, weapons of mass destruction. They may be nuclear, chemical, biological or other types of weapons, which can be delivered through a variety of means. It is mainly the more powerful wealthy countries that have such weapons although some poorer nations are also acquiring them.
In recent years, there have been movements and treaties to help control the flow and deployment of arms, be they landmines, small arms, or weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons.
This part of the global issues web site starts by looking in to some of those arms control measures in the nuclear weapons arena and at some of the controversial decisions that have been made.
Militarization and Weaponization of Outer Space
Last updated Sunday, January 21, 2007.
The US is planning to develop weapons for and ensure military dominance in space. This goes counter to the United Nations Outer Space Treaty that provides the legal framework for the use of space for peaceful purposes. A risk of an arms race increases when combined with the missile defense plans.
Read “Militarization and Weaponization of Outer Space” to learn more.
Star Wars; Phantom Menace or New Hope?
Last updated Saturday, January 11, 2003.
The US is also risking abrogation of the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty by continuing with its Star Wars, or national missile defense system. However, critics point out that the program is very expensive (largely paid for by the public), that the technologies are risky, that the threat rationale isn't very strong and that this will affect international relations, and could lead to an arms race.
Read “Star Wars; Phantom Menace or New Hope?” to learn more.
A Code of Conduct for Arms Sales
Last updated Sunday, October 29, 2006.
- The European Union has tried to take a responsible step in introducing a Code of Conduct in the sales of arms.
- Though this does not mean that their arms sales are not fraught with problems.
Read “A Code of Conduct for Arms Sales” to learn more.
Arms Control Links for More Information
Last updated Wednesday, April 23, 2003.
Read “Arms Control Links for More Information” to learn more.
Online Sources:
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Author and Page Information
- Created: Monday, July 20, 1998
- Last Updated: Sunday, October 29, 2006