Nuclear experts weigh global nonproliferation dynamic

Top nuclear experts maintain the global nonproliferation regime is not faring well in today’s current policy climate, according to a recent Simson Center hosted discussion on The Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) at Fifty.

Susan Burk, former special representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation, referenced in past American-led efforts to add new countries as parties to the NPT and the treaty was seen as a way to hold P-5 countries accountable.

She said, however, that continued existence of thousands of nuclear weapons has drawn criticism from the international community.

Burk said the Nuclear Ban Treaty passed at the United Nations in 2017 addresses many concerns of non-nuclear weapons and despite the Ban Treaty’s shortcomings, she acknowledged it is raising important issues.

Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) President Joan Rohlfing expressed optimism during the dialogue, offering several paths forward for the nonproliferation community, including focusing on cybersecurity around nuclear facilities and closing gaps in current fuel cycle architecture.

She also emphasized the need to lower the temperature and reduce the role of nuclear weapons in American security strategy, referencing the false missile alert Hawaii recently experienced – adding such world events provide the opportunity to educate the public on the danger of nuclear issues.