Super-power monopoly of advanced nuclear warfare technology

Although the number of nations possessing nuclear weapons is growing, not all countries have the sophisticated delivery systems to deploy these weapons defensively or offensively. ICBMs and long-range bombers, themselves protected by on-board tactical nuclear missiles and massive squadrons of fighter planes, and by radar-jamming and other electronic counter-measures, are only in the aggressive repertoire of the superpowers. The recent expectation that nuclear armed satellites will soon appear indicates the intent of world domination by each of these two giants.

Approximately 130 States have signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, acknowledging the the possession of nuclear weapons is not required for their own security. The security of many third world countries is grave and the task of enhancing regional security in many areas of the world is of evident importance but it is difficult to see how the spread of nuclear weapons would advance such security.

A number of states not a party of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty justify their rejection of the Treaty by the argument that it is discriminatory in nature. Given the existence of nuclear weapons, the only non-discriminatory solution would be that of allowing any nation that desires nuclear weapons to have them – a highly destabilizing solution. It is of significance that those countries taking a particularly negative stand on deterrence and the possession of nuclear weapons wish to maintain the nuclear option for themselves. Nuclear weapons in the hands of governments led by fanatics is even more frightening a thought than now exists with nuclear weapons mainly in the hands of the USA and the USSR. Although there is always an impending threat of nuclear war, this threat is, to some degree, diminished by the limited number of countries currently capable of nuclear attack.