In a decisive 122-1 vote at the United Nations, a global ban on nuclear weapons was approved,a massively important step toward disarmament made somewhat less impactful by all the current nuclear-armed states boycotting the meetings.
Which doesn’t mean there weren’t major powers signing the deal. Brazil was a noteworthy signatory, and both Iran and Saudi Arabia signed on the dotted line, along with Egypt, which appears to dramatically reduce the risk of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
The sole dissenting vote was also the sole NATO member to even attend the meetings, the Netherlands. They’ve hosted US nuclear arms in the past, and appeared loathe to sign on to a deal that would effectively oblige them to stop such hosting deals.
Generally speaking, close US allies complied with US wishes and boycotted the conference, meaning states like South Korea didn’t attend, despite having much to lose in a potential nuclear war. Another conspicuous absentee was Japan, which likely reflects the Abe Government’s desire to keep cozy relations with the US, but is likely to be hugely controversial within Japan, the only nation to be a victim of nuclear attacks in a war, and a nation with a long history of nuclear disarmament advocacy.
Advocates say that while the lack of nuclear states signing is disappointing, it doesn’t necessarily make the deal worthless, noting that a similar ban on landmines was spurned by US and other landmine using states, but still led to significant, albeit gradual, policy changes which have brought many of those nations into de facto compliance with the treaty.
It is pathetic that the nations (or leaders) disagreeing pretended that the US placing of nukes on their ground or just their being NATO members was protecting them-the old “nuclear umbrella, getting very tattered.
The site “Transcend Media Service” has a number of articles on the details of the meetings (not mentioned in other media I have seen) and gives important information we should all know for the future of humankind.
It is unknowable how many lives have been spared by the reality of MAD among nuclear-armed nations. It is equally unknowable how many lives might be (have been) lost should all such nations rid themselves of nukes and conduct warfare solely with “conventional” arms. Like, for instance, napalm and MOABs.
That said, those “what-ifs” are fair game for educated and reasonable speculation. I know what conclusions I would draw.
That said: Was there ever a stronger case for being careful of what you wish for?
There are only two possibilities: We get rid of nuclear weapons or they will get rid of us. it´s that simple, really. But what happens is that the US is increasing the danger with missiles in Eastern Europe and spending 1 Trillion Dollars more on nuclear weapons. They can´t say if they feel forced to deploy Launch On Warning and by a mistake Berlin e.g. suddenly doesn´t exist any more: Sorry, it was a mistake but it was caused by the aggressive bloody fools in the Pentagon who gave us 2 min to react. They can hardly say that, can they ?
It´s stupid and crazy to spend most of money to prepare our Great Suicide. Nobody wanted it but it was a technical mistake caused by the aggressive bloody fools in the Pentagon. Missiles in Poland and Romania on the border to Russia to defend us from Iran ! Bloody, stupid crazy fools !
Good ole USA who is only trying to promote peace in the world.
The US never believed in MAD. It was obvious in 1970 with Trident-1 linked to NAVSTAR (now called GPS). So, Minuteman-3 and Trident-2 can hit within 30 meters of a missile silo, enough to destroy it. And by the way, the warheads on Minuteman-3 and Trident-2 are designed to minimize nuclear winter effects if used against missile silos according to Professor Paul Rogers. Only for Blackmail ?
Those u.s. missiles would find an empty silo . . . . the Soviet / Russian payload well on it’s way.
Anyway the Pentagon has been working to achieve a Disarming First Strike Capability for at least 50 years. Of course, Russia will deploy Launch On Warning and we´ll probably commit Suicide because of a mistake caused by the aggressive fools in the Pentagon. It´s just too stupid to deploy missiles in Romania and Poland and claim they are to defend from Iran !
Did I read this correctly? The Netherlands was the “only dissenting” voter. Can’t believe my eyes. As an ex Dutchman, now New Zealander I am deeply ashamed of my former country taking that stance. Shame on you Holland, glad I am no longer one of you.