A nuclear catastrophe that has the potential to obliterate human existence on a global scale. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
*Countries may decide that they want to acquire nuclear weapons for two basic reasons:
- The presence of an external threat, especially, but not exclusively, when the external threat is represented by nuclear- weapon States (whether official or de facto).
- The prestige and influence of nuclear Every pound allocated to nuclear is one less towards clean, renewable energy and contributes to making the world a comparatively dirtier and more perilous place, as nuclear power and nuclear weapons are intertwined. Mark Z. Jacobson
Over the past three decades, world leaders have prudently navigated the potential for nuclear catastrophes to mitigate the risk of disasters among nations. Various nations have signed treaties to avert conflicts and establish deterrence. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) prohibits the use, possession, testing, and transfer of nuclear weapons according to international law. Numerous international treaties have been enacted to prevent nuclear disasters and restrain the proliferation of atomic weapons. Notable examples include the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). These treaties seek to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, limit atomic testing, and encourage cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear energy.
( The Iranian government says parliament is drafting legislation to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as it is engaged in an escalating military conflict with Israel.
Tehran’s threat to walk away from the international treaty comes after Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, killing several nuclear scientists and scholars along with top military commanders.
The era appears to have been overlooked, and as indicated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the global nuclear arsenal is increasing. Furthermore, nearly all nine nuclear-armed states are in the process of modernising their stockpiles with increasingly sophisticated and lethal technologies.
Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea. The US was the first country to develop nuclear weapons during World War II.
The era of disarmament is currently being overlooked, giving rise to a new arms race.
As of the year 2025, the global inventory of nuclear warheads is estimated to be approximately 12,241. Of these, over 9,600 are maintained within military stockpiles, with nearly 4,000 being actively deployed at any given time. Notably, approximately 2,100 warheads are kept on high operational alert, enabling them to be launched within minutes.
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(According to SIPRI estimates from January 2025, nuclear warhead stockpiles stand at Russia 4,309, United States 3,700, China 600, France 290, United Kingdom 225, India 180, Pakistan 170, Israel 90, and North Korea 50).
Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and is not known to have any nuclear warheads in its possession. While Iran has been enriching uranium, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons, it has not weaponised this material. The country maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and that it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which prohibits the development of nuclear weapons.
While Iran does not officially acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons, it is widely believed to have a nuclear program and the technical capability to produce them. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as energy production. However, concerns remain about Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and whether they are solely for civilian use.
What has changed, in addition to the numerical data, is the nature of the race. In contrast to the bipolar standoff characteristic of the Cold War, the present-day nuclear competition is multipolar, involving the United States, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and other nations.
Modernisation is pervasive, encompassing hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence-driven command systems, as well as Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) and cyber- capable infrastructure.
The disintegration of arms control frameworks, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the impending expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in 2026, has resulted in a regulatory vacuum.
Furthermore, with increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, the risks associated with miscalculation or escalation are escalating daily. This represents a sobering juncture. It also prompts a critical inquiry: if the previously established regulations are no longer applicable, what new protocols must we establish to avert disaster?
A new method for handling non-proliferation and disarmament (refer to UN chronicles by Paolo Cotta-Ramusino)
On June 30, 2009, a group of four distinguished former high-level American officials published a widely circulated article in the Wall Street Journal. This article was subsequently followed by responses from various political factions in several European countries, all advocating for a renewed call for nuclear disarmament. On April
5, 2009, President Barack Obama stated: “I state clearly and with conviction America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” He also reiterated the goal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): “Countries with nuclear weapons will move towards disarmament, countries without nuclear weapons will not acquire them, and all countries can access peaceful nuclear energy.” Currently, there exists a clear interest within the U.S. administration to reinitiate dialogue with Russia regarding the renewal or replacement of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and to make further advancements in arms control and disarmament.
Nuclear War cannot be won and should not be fought- vide IndiaBIX
Kirti Malik- Founder & CEO – MOJO PUNDIT – Indian Institute of Career & Employment Foundation
said:1 decade ago
However, the pursuit of comprehensive nuclear disarmament remains a complex and multifaceted endeavour. The technological advancements that were once believed to provide deterrence and strategic stability now contribute to unpredictability, as innovative delivery systems and AI-driven command structures diminish decision-making times and heighten the risk of inadvertent launches. The proliferation of nuclear knowledge to additional nations further exacerbates verification and compliance challenges, undermining the very mechanisms that have supported non-proliferation efforts for decades.
In this regard, international dialogue and revitalised multilateralism become not merely advantageous but imperative. The imminent challenge is to cultivate new forms of collaboration—ones capable of adapting to a landscape characterised by shifting power dynamics, emerging technologies, and unconventional threats. Confidence-building measures, robust arms control agreements, transparency initiatives, and effective crisis communication channels must be prioritised and tailored for the twenty-first century.
Ultimately, the inquiry extends beyond technical considerations; it is fundamentally an ethical one: what principles will guide humanity’s management of nuclear technology? As the global community approaches another pivotal moment, the enduring lesson remains evident: global security can only be guaranteed through collective restraint, shared responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to preventing nuclear catastrophe.
A nuclear catastrophe can cause severe and long-term health problems due to radiation exposure. Acute effects include radiation sickness, burns, and potentially death from high doses. Long-term consequences include increased cancer risk, cardiovascular disease, and potential hereditary effects.
Psychological impacts, like anxiety and depression, can also be significant.
Summary
This document addresses the resurgence of global interest in nuclear disarmament, citing international appeals for action and the commitments made by the United States to diminish atomic arsenals. It underscores the changing risks associated with advanced technologies and the complexities of proliferation, emphasising the necessity for international collaboration, robust verification mechanisms, and ethical governance of nuclear technology. Furthermore, the text delineates the profound and enduring health, psychological, and existential threats posed by atomic weapons, asserting that enduring security is contingent upon collective restraint and responsible conduct.
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