Regime Change? The Future of Nuclear Weapons

Peace and Security

Forty years ago the nuclear superpowers said they would disarm if the rest of the world would pledge not to seek these ultimate weapons. By and large, the rest of the world complied but the superpowers did not. Now, a new generation of developing nations and terrorists seek the nuclear option. Join to examine the odds of a breakdown or breakthrough at the dawn of the Second Nuclear Age.  Funded by the Ploughshares Fund.

Guests:
Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy, Professor of Physics at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad
Michael Desch, Professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University
Rebecca Johnson, Institute Director Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy
Roland Timerbaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor
Joe Cirincione, Vice President for National Security at the Center for American Progress
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Regime Change?

 

Questions for Further Discussion
“Regime Change: The Uncertain Future of Nuclear Weapons”
 
Learning Goals: To consider the state of nuclear arms in the world today and the possibility of a breakdown in arms treaties in an increasingly chaotic world.
 
Learning Methods: Assign one or more of the following questions to students individually, in pairs, or small groups for discussion. Consider assigning a short presentation, project or research assignment in response.
 
Terms:
 
Star Wars           Cold War         Nagasaki
 
Greenpeace      Hiroshima       Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
 
 
  1. The world and the nature of conflict have undoubtedly changed in the past sixty years. How have non-proliferation agreements changed in a world, as Mark Sommer notes, no longer dominated by one bi-polar struggle, but divided by dozens of regional conflicts? How has the political and military global landscape changed in the last sixty years? Use material from the program in your response, such as the idea of “self cancellation” among super powers with nuclear power.
  2. Mark Sommer asks Dr. Perves Hoodbhoy if anything might replace having a bomb as a national achievement. Dr. Hoodbhoy answers that education could be a replacement. What kind of educational plan(s) might be valuable in becoming part of the solution to the problem of nuclear proliferation?
  3. Ambassador Roland Timberbaev asserts that the nuclear non proliferation treaty between nations in possession of nuclear weapons is a discriminatory treaty. Do you agree that it is discriminatory? Why? Conceptually, the treaty is designed to encourage nations without nuclear weapons from acquiring them, with the caveat that nations already in possession of them will disarm. Why has this not occurred?
 
 
Innovation in Action: Additional Assignments
 
  1. Choose a country and research the state of their current nuclear weapons developments. What is their public justification of their arms programs? Report and/or present your findings to the class.
  2. Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr. Perves Hoodbhoy asserts that stopping the spread of nuclear weapons development is essential because it can now fall into the hands of “stateless actors” who do not have the same fear and accountability as nations. We have seen evidence of this in recent decades with an increase in terrorist activity. Being as specific as possible, how does the threat of terrorism intensify the potential damage caused by use of nuclear weaponry? How might potential terrorists obtain these weapons?
  3. Professor Michael Desch argues that the possession of nuclear weapons in some cases may be stabilizing as the result of a mutual reluctance to enter into military conflict. He cites the difference in the United States’ treatment of Iraq and North Korea as an example. Do you agree with Professor Desch? Why or why not? Provide support for your argument in the form of recent historical and political interactions between nations. Present your response to the class in a short oral and written presentation.
 
 
 
 

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