Nuclear Conflict, Essay Example

Nuclear conflict is obviously a crucial issue in international relations, as the potential consequences of such conflict are nothing short of apocalyptic in nature. In this regard, the proper strategy in the regulation of nuclear materials is a necesary preventative measure. The proliferation of nuclear technologies has radicalized the  nuclear situation, as the previous bi-polarity of United States and the Soviet Union as nuclear armed states is now archaic. For this reason, treaties such as the nuclear non-proliferation treaty can be viewed as valuable contributions to the situation, insofar as such a document evinces the commitment to prevention. At the same time, these treaties and regulations are inevitably insufficient – there is no perfect master discourse that could prevent nuclear proliferation, and for example, curtail the trafficking of nuclear materials on state or non-state levels.

Accordingly, a key strategy can be viewed as the promotion of a minimal transparency from nations regarding their nuclear capabilities, so that the world community may monitor existing nuclear related materials. Israel, for example, has never publically declared that they possess nuclear weapons and are not recognized as such by the NPT. Rather, Israel pursues a policy of “nuclear ambiguity”, where they explicitly refuse to state whether or not they are in possession of nuclear weapons. Such a policy is harmful to any cause, insofar as it creates a sense of paranoia in neighboring countries. A nation such as Iran does not know what armaments Israel possesses, and this can potentially create a policy that intends to balance geopolitical equilibrium through the establishment of their own weapons.

Such tactics recall North Korean approaches to nuclear weapons, as they continue to maintain an ambiguity regarding their precise nuclear capabilites. This ambiguity is thereinafter used as a bargainning chip within diplomacy. The lack of transparency from countries such as North Korea and Israel shows a general disdain for the potential diplomatic work of the international community vis-a-vis anti-proliferation. Accordingly, the policy of nuclear transparency would show a commitment towards nuclear regulation on the part of the world community.