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Behind the 1968 Agreement: Why did the world choose not to proliferate nuclear weapons?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and their technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and promote nuclear disarmament and comprehensive disarmament. Negotiations for the treaty took place from 1965 to 1968, led by the 18-nation Disarmament Committee. It was finally opened for signature in 1968 and came into effect in 1970. During this period, all parties had increasingly urgent needs for the proliferation of global nuclear weapons and mutual trust. This background contributed to the emergence of the NPT.
The treaty is not only a legal commitment, but also reflects the global common understanding of the threat of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
Basic framework of NPT
The NPT contains a preamble and eleven articles. Although the concept of "three pillars" is not explicitly stated, the NPT is often interpreted as having three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. These pillars are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Only an effective non-proliferation system that respects its obligations can provide the basis for progress in disarmament and make cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy possible.
The first pillar: non-proliferation
According to Article 1 of the NPT, nuclear-weapon states undertake not to transfer nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and not to assist, encourage or induce in any way any non-nuclear-weapon state to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons; non-nuclear-weapon states undertake not to acquire or control nuclear weapons. and accept supervision from the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that its nuclear activities are used only for peaceful purposes. This division clarifies the international community's resistance to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Pillar Two: Disarmament
Article 6 of the NPT requires all contracting states to negotiate effective measures in good faith with a view to stopping the nuclear arms race, achieving nuclear disarmament, and reaching a treaty on comprehensive disarmament. Although some countries have different interpretations of this clause, its core is still a common commitment to nuclear disarmament.
The third pillar: peaceful uses of nuclear energy
Article 4 recognizes the right of all countries to develop peaceful nuclear energy and encourages international cooperation. Under the agreement, countries have the right to use nuclear energy, but must comply with non-proliferation obligations. Technology transfer for peaceful uses of nuclear energy is particularly important for economic development, especially in developing countries.
Historical background of NPT
With the tensions of the Cold War and the rapid development of nuclear energy technology in many countries, the international community has increasingly felt the threat posed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Because of this, the proposal and adoption of NPT are of great significance. The international environment at that time became the main focus of consideration on whether effective control of nuclear weapons could be achieved. This background gave birth to the birth of NPT, which aimed to prevent the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and thereby reduce the risk of nuclear conflicts caused by miscalculation or accidents.
History tells us how the nuclear weapons race during the Cold War raised an important warning: A world with multiple nuclear-weapon states would be more dangerous.
Challenges and prospects of NPT
Although the NPT has achieved certain results in controlling the proliferation of nuclear weapons, it still faces many challenges. Critics point out that the NPT cannot completely prevent countries from developing nuclear weapons, especially in the context of changes in the international political situation. The considerations of countries holding nuclear weapons in protecting their own security still dominate.
In addition, in recent years, nuclear issues in countries such as North Korea and Iran have posed challenges to the NPT system. These challenges highlight the delicate balance between the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the prevention of nuclear proliferation, and have also prompted countries to continue to explore appropriate solutions on international platforms.
As countries' attitudes toward nuclear weapons and security needs change, the future of the NPT is still full of variables. How member states maintain mutual trust and cooperation on the basis of safeguarding the treaty will be an important issue next.
In this challenging era, the world’s thinking about nuclear weapons cannot stop at “whether we can expand nuclear weapons agents.” Should we also rethink the significance of nuclear weapons’ existence?
