The Effect of the Proposed Nuclear Weapons Ban treaty on US Allies

Abstract

A global network of non-nuclear weapons states and grassroots activists is seeking to negotiate a treaty banning nuclear weapons as a means of achieving global nuclear disarmament. The United States opposes this effort, and instead seeks a graduated approach to nuclear weapons reductions. However, refusing to join the treaty negotiations, slated for March 2017, does not mean the United States will be unaffected by the proposed treaty. Key U.S. allies have participated in working groups and conferences devoted to nuclear disarmament and many face domestic pressure to support the treaty. If U.S. allies join this nuclear weapons ban effort, it will have long-term implications for U.S. nuclear policy related to extended deterrence and U.S. nuclear deployment. Based on interviews, public polling, and primary source documents, this project will chronicle the history and strategy of the current effort to ban nuclear weapons and then explore the perspectives of key allies involved with the campaign. The project will benefit the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. government, and the public by contributing to the public debate over nuclear disarmament and will conclude with recommendations for U.S. policy-makers working in this area.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Oct 17, 2018
Source ID
FA70001710013

Entities

People

  • Rebecca Gibbons

Organizations

  • Bowdoin College
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies