NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT. E D G E m u n

Transcription

1 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT E D G E m u n

2 LETTER FROM CHAIRS Dear Esteemed Delegates, Welcome to DISEC at EdgeMUN! My name is Steven Conway and my co-chair is Daniel Shifren. We are incredibly excited for you to join us this April for an awesome Model United Nations experience. Some notes about committee: Nuclear Disarmament has become a huge issue throughout the world today. More and more countries are attempting to gain access to nuclear weapons, which puts the neighboring nations and the world as a whole at a great risk. Your job in this committee is to find ways to reduce the amount of nuclear weapons available to countries that have the ability to use them at their own will. The beginning portion of committee will be spent learning about parliamentary procedure and Model UN in general. The rest of committee will be focused on the topic of Nuclear Disarmament in a series of moderated and unmoderated caucuses. Good luck with your research. We can t wait to meet you all! Sincerely, Steven Conway and Daniel Shifren 2

3 Introduction A single nuclear weapon can demolish an entire city and leave behind radiation that will damage generations to come. Only twice in history has a nuclear weapon caused such great destruction, and in both cases the weapons were deployed by the United States. The United States dropped the two atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan on August 6th and 9th of 1945, respectively 1. These two cities took decades to rebuild and return to average radiation levels. Since World War II, a number of multilateral treaties have been signed working toward nuclear disarmament to prevent scenarios like Nagasaki and Hiroshima from ever occurring again. This committee has been given the task of discussing the future of nuclear disarmament and deciding upon a feasible and lasting solution regarding nuclear development that worldwide powers will adhere to 1. historical background: Cold war era In the early goings of World War II, the United States and Britain launched the Manhattan Project: a mission to design the first weapon of mass destruction. And on July 16th, 1945, the Project accomplished its goal with the first successful nuclear test in the New Mexico desert 3. For a short while, the United States and Great Britain were the only nations in the world with knowledge of how to construct a nuclear weapon. All throughout the war, however, unbeknownst to the Western powers, the Soviet Union had intelligence about the project and relentlessly worked to create their own weapon of mass destruction, which they first successfully tested on August 29th, 1949, much earlier than other nations anticipated 3. The United States and Soviet Union immediately began to expand and advance their nuclear arsenals as much and as quickly as possible. Soon both nations had detonated Hydrogen bombs with considerably more devastating power than the first nuclear weapons. 1 Nuclear Weapons UNODA. UN News Center. UN. Web. 24 Oct The two superpowers of the world were already deadlocked in a race for superior nuclear weaponry, when they developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which expanded the weapons reach and quickened their delivery 2. In response to these new developments, the United States and Soviet Union each set up their own second strike system. Each side had the weaponry to destroy the other, so they set up the second strike system, which in case of a nuclear attack would be able to launch a counter-attack from submarines, missile launchers, and hovering planes 3. The concept of a second strike led to the term Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): the belief that if both nations know they will be destroyed after an attack on the other power, then they are deterred from attacking. The UK and France also developed small nuclear arsenals of their own in the 1950s 2. Around the world, there was a growing fear that a nation would deploy nuclear weapons during the high tension diplomatic situations. The closest call came amidst the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when miscommunications and threats almost led to nuclear war, but luckily ended in a deal between the US and Kruschev. Finally in the 1970s, the two countries began to reduce the size of their nuclear weaponries. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in Helinski, Finland were some of the first treaties to limit arsenals 3. But these treaties failed to really reduce arsenals, as nations replaced older weapons with newer technology. During the 1980s the United States continued to add to their arsenal, while the Soviet Union s weapon development slowed due to serious economic issues 1. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian government and United States started using resources that were previously directed towards weapon development for economic and other policies. The 1970 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was a milestone agreement on limiting the spread of nuclear weapons in the world. The treaty, which was extended in 1995, advocates for peaceful nuclear technology and relies on inspectors of the International Atomic Energy 2 Nuclear Arms Race. AMNH. American Museum of Natural History. Web. 24 Oct

4 Agency (IAEA) to monitor nations cooperation 1. These provisions were paralleled in disarmament treaties of the future. As developing nations begin to obtain nuclear weapons, the international community has to find ways to manage the consequences of that great a power falling into more and more hands. An important example today has been the five world powers response to Iran s undergoing development of nuclear weapons. The US, UK, Russia, Germany, China and France entered talks with Tehran to slow Iran s nuclear program. After over a year of negotiations, the US, UK, Iran, Russia and France all signed a deal with Iran to lift their sanctions on the country given that Iran comply with a number of conditions. Iran has two known uranium enrichment sites within its borders 3. One condition of the treaty ensures that these enrichment sites do not enrich the uranium above 3.97% for the next fifteen years 4. It also requires Iran to reduce its total supply of Uranium by 98% 4. And importantly, it has to decrease its centrifuges by two thirds. Compared to other nuclear deals, the Iran deal is much more detailed. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending representatives to continuously monitor the nuclear sites. For Iran s benefit, the UN, US and EU are lifting sanctions that have cost Iran billions of dollars in order to incentivize Iran s cooperation. However, Iran will be able to produce as much nuclear fuel after the fifteen years 5. There are concerns that after the deal expires, Iran s breakout time will be practically nothing, meaning the country will be able to produce a nuclear weapon right away 5. In addition, the sanctions that were lifted included a sanction on conventional missiles and weapons that Iran will now have access to. nuclear disarmament today: Shortly following the development of the first nuclear weapons, the United States hoped to gain a monopoly on the new weapon technology, but the technology spread beyond the United States control. As previously stated, nuclear weapons were first used in 1945 in both Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan. 3 Iran Nuclear Deal: Key Details. BBC News. BBC News, 16 Jan Web. 24 Oct The Soviet Union followed with a creation of their first nuclear weapon four years later. One of the first serious pieces of legislation passed on nuclear weapons was the Iran deal passed in June, Today, the United States and Russia are the leaders in terms of quantity of nuclear weapons. Russia leads in quantity of nuclear weapons with 7,300, which includes retired, stockpiled, and deployed nuclear weapons. Retired nuclear weapons are defined as weapons that are no longer in use for political or technological reasons. Stockpiled nuclear weapons are active weapons however are not deployed. Deployed nuclear weapons are nuclear weapons that are currently active and are stationed to be used and launched at any time. Currently, Russia has over 6,000 active nuclear weapons however only about 1,700 that are currently deployed. The United States also has about 6,000 nuclear weapons but only have 1,400 currently deployed. Behind the United States and Russia is France, with just over 300 nuclear warheads, more than twenty times less than the United States and Russia. Next is China and Great Britain with 260 and 215 respectively. The United Kingdom has about 120 strategic warheads, of which no more than 40 are deployed at sea on a nuclear ballistic missile submarine at any given time. The United Kingdom possesses a total of four ballistic missile submarines. The NPT, otherwise known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty, set the preliminary legislation on what nations are able to use nuclear weapons. NPT called for nations without nuclear weapons to not pursue their creation and for nations with nuclear weapons to pursue gradual disarmament 1. This treaty was just one major stepping stone on the road towards international disarmament, a goal that is still being pushed for today.the international treaty was set to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. Currently, 191 states adhere to the treaty, though North Korea, which acceded in 1985 but never came into compliance, 4 Gordon, Michael R. Deal Reached on Iran Nuclear Program; Limits on Fuel Would Lessen With Time. The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 July Web. 24 Oct

5 announced its withdrawal from the NPT in 2003, following detonation of nuclear devices in violation of core obligations. Four UN member states have never accepted the NPT, three of which are assumed to possess nuclear weapons: India, Israel, and Pakistan, and South Sudan is the fourth UN member that has not joined. Despite the wishes of neighboring countries, North Korea is still working to advance its nuclear program. North Korea, led by unpredictable dictator Kim Jong-un, claims that nuclear weapons are necessary for its self-defense. Nearby nations, including China and South Korea, are intimidated by the imposed threat. To deter North Korean attacks, the United States and South Korea conduct joint periodic military exercises. Viewing this as an act of aggression, North Korea reacts even more antagonistically. However, many officials dismiss this threat as invalid, claiming North Korea does not have advanced enough technology able to cause mass damage. Even so, as of September in 2016, North Korea has supposedly created a device with an explosive yield of kilotonnes, which would make North Korea the strongest nuclear power in East Asia. Although tests have been done in the past on atomic bombs, North Korea has claimed that its most recent 2016 test involved a hydrogen bomb, which is far more powerful than the previous weapons. In attempt to slow North Korea s progress, sanctions are commonly discussed as a strategy to hurt the North Korean economy. The US, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea also engaged North Korea in multiple rounds of negotiations known as six-party talks (BBC News). These meetings have been deemed unsuccessful, and have not deterred North Korea from their continuous development of nuclear arms. Amadinejad under pressure over the Iran deal, pointed out that Israel is also in the current possession of nuclear weapons. Much information about Israel s nuclear arsenal has been withheld, and no one is aware of its size or capabilities (National Interest). A key ally of the United States, Israel has denied the country answers when asked for details about its nuclear program. Being a target for Arab attacks, many have not questioned Israel s motives, as it is evident that self-defense is needed for the small country. In 2015, a resolution drafted by Arab countries stated that the IAEA should have to monitor Israel s uranium levels as well, yet Canada, France, the United States, and Great Britain refused to sign (National Interest). Since none of Israel s nuclear weapons have caused harm to anyone, people are reluctant to enforce limitation upon them. Meanwhile, China has openly considered changing its nuclear policy in recent years. Currently, China maintains a nuclear arsenal with less than 300 warheads that are kept off alert, meaning they are kept separate from the missiles ( China s Military ). China s current strategy of survivability does not require rapid launch and is relatively low-risk, but recent conversations suggest the possible implementation of a launch-on-warning and hair-trigger alert policy. This means that China would have an instant and destructive response to any threat that is posed, which increases the risk of a nuclear exchange, especially one that is accidental or unauthorized. China is being driven towards this shift largely due to fear of the United State s advancements. This gives the United States a unique opportunity to influence China s policy decision. There is speculation that if the United States agreed to work on a nuclear doctrine with China, to address concerns and threats, China might stick to its current policy of survivability which would be much safer for many countries. Although nuclear issues are often discussed in terms of military and government, they also come as a threat from other groups and individuals. Nuclear terrorism is a pressing issue that must be dealt with. To build a nuclear weapon, terrorists need access to HEU or plutonium, neither of which can be found in nature or easily reproduced. Some argue that a ban on reprocessing, which is required to produce plutonium, and a decrease in the use of HEU for civil purposes would make it much harder for terrorists to obtain these substances. For this reason, the United States has a ban on domestic reprocessing. However, reprocessing is done in many countries, including 5

6 Japan, Britain, France, and Russia ( Nuclear Terrorism ). The resulting production of plutonium is vulnerable to theft, which gives terrorists a way to obtain the materials necessary for constructing nuclear weapons. As terrorism is an expanding global issue, it is imperative to work towards preventing any and all forms, including nuclear terrorism. It is evident that all countries, possessing nuclear weapons or not, share the end goal of living in a nuclear-weapon free world. At this point in time, many countries believe that they need nuclear weapons as a form of self defense. Until nuclear arms are completely eliminated, they will continue to be a lurking threat to nations, and countries will remain reluctant to disarm. This standoff is extremely dangerous, and if negotiations are not pursued it could eventually evolve into a global arms race. 6

7 Committee nuclear Name disarmament Topic Dus si nem ipis et accatibea nihitatioria dolo beatur solorio nsentium nem. Nonsecu ptius, quam re ipsaperepe maio. Qui de laut aut laboreped et ad molo molupta dit ut eatempor maxime plique nihillamus, sitiam si bearum, iliquunt, te molut qui cupta invelestrum a verro es dolor adi omnihil lorerorendit utem nullaut videm hit vendebis pel imagnate repernat quamus ne ni doluptate et que essintectum reperibus imodigniscid quate sapitet et doluptiae volorit ut untibus volorep udipist ut aute et repereiur, comni re porenia conest el es quatur? Pa quia quodiat. quodiat. Aquae nobit voloreicati sum quisquia consed quunte corest qui tempos si ut maionseritis ut aut voluptat rempeli ctaquibus, ilisquodita sapicie nectotam cupissit dolore voluptatur as vit exerspe dignam accus ni conseque pa voluptatis alisiti as vit exerspe dignam accus ni conseque pa voluptatis alisiti busdant inihill andenda excerionse eos miliquaspe volupta volupta anda debis molorenit, se represt explis ipsam fugit volute nobitas siminciatus audam qui reicti ium as explitia ipiciur? As re accullumqui iunt etum evella corempos evelique consersperit voluptamus aut asped quam aut omnis dolorem rent eictiasse ni ommodicium volo verspe seque pa volupta conetur? Tio ium nem qui dolore ea solore pa erchicietur reseritat hariore pelenia cone commodio omnit mintibusam doloreptat ulla venissum aut dolore velic temposs equatquistem nima sincimolore, nonsequod utae doluptat ipit apicidus et hiliquo ea molore, nonsequod utae doluptat ipit apicidus et hiliquo ea simpor repel is verum aut reritatque magnimolecus santisima quiatiis derroviti veleste conseque idisci doluptate andis et ent praesto estiosamus est, odioremporro consequatis eaquis et et inisquis estestiam, occum inciet volorit ut harunteste aut quundunt. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Lest dustios ut aut optum nis aut rem quis aspel iliquuntutem veliqui reperorum vellupt atinciisimus explique etur, omnimpo rrovit fuga. Ed quam dolupta perumquatem quam, sum ex- Dus si nem ipis et accatibea nihitatioria dolo beatur solorio nsentium nem. Nonsecu ptius, quam re ipsaperepe maio. Qui Nuclear Non-Proliferation: 1) How can this committee prevent countries such as Iran or Democratic People s Republic of Korea from developing nuclear weapon programs and nuclear weapons themselves? de laut aut laboreped et ad molo molupta dit ut eatempor maxime plique nihillamus, sitiam si bearum, iliquunt, te molut qui cupta invelestrum a verro es dolor adi omnihil lorerorendit utem nullaut videm hit vendebis pel imagnate repernat quamus ne ni doluptate et que essintectum reperibus imodigniscid 2) What steps need to be taken to ensure that terrorists and terrorist organizations do not help the previously mentioned nations attain nuclear weapons? quate sapitet et doluptiae volorit ut untibus volorep udipist ut aute et repereiur, comni re porenia conest el es quatur? Pa quia 3) How can things like incentives, security guarantees, nuclear weapon free zones, stopping black market trade by terrorists, and compliance with the NPT help reduce conflict? Aquae nobit voloreicati sum quisquia consed quunte corest qui tempos si ut maionseritis ut aut voluptat rempeli ctaquibus, ilisquodita sapicie nectotam cupissit dolore voluptatur Nuclear Disarmament: 1) How can the United States and Russia, lead the way in disarming their nuclear weapons? busdant inihill andenda excerionse eos miliquaspe volupta volupta anda debis molorenit, se represt explis ipsam fugit volute nobitas siminciatus audam qui reicti ium as explitia ipiciur? 2) What confidence-building measures can be implemented so that two sides mutually comply at reducing their stockpiles at the same time? As re accullumqui iunt etum evella corempos evelique consersperit voluptamus aut asped quam aut omnis dolorem rent eictiasse ni ommodicium volo verspe seque pa volupta conetur? 3) How can things like confidence-building measures, disarmament targets, and a plan to protect and eliminate stockpiles help dissolve the issue? 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8 Committee nuclear Name disarmament Topic COUNTRIES IN COMMITTEE China: About 260 nuclear warheads today First nuclear weapons test in 1964 First hydrogen bomb test in 1967 Second smallest nuclear arsenal amongst the five nuclear weapon states China maintains a no-first-use pledge when it comes to nuclear weapons One of the five Nuclear Weapon States France: One of the five Nuclear Weapon States Fourth country to independently test nuclear weapon in 1960 Third largest nuclear arsenal in the world today Currently denies possession of chemical weapons Russia: Russia possesses 7,300 total nuclear warheads, of which 1,790 are strategically operational In addition to nuclear weapons, Russia has had an arsenal of up to 39,967 tons of chemical weapons The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) estimates: roughly 2,700 non-deployed strategic and deployed and non-deployed tactical warheads. And 3,200 additional warheads awaiting dismantlement. Great Britain: About 120 strategic warheads, of which no more than 40 are deployed at sea on a nuclear ballistic missile submarine at any given time. The United Kingdom possesses a total of four ballistic missile submarines. Total stockpile is estimated up to 215 warheads. United State of America: 1,481 strategic nuclear warheads deployed on 741 ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles), SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), and strategic bombers. 2,570 non-deployed strategic warheads and roughly 500 deployed and non-deployed tactical warheads. In May 2016 the Defense Department announced that as of September 30, 2015, the United States possesses 4,571 active and inactive nuclear warheads, not including those awaiting dismantlement The State Department announced in April 2015 that approximately 2,500 warheads are retired and await dismantlement. 8

9 Committee nuclear Name disarmament Topic WORKS CITED The Cold War. Nuclear Arms Race. The Atomic Bomb Website. Web. 24 Oct China s Military Calls for Putting Its Nuclear Forces on Alert (2016). Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec DePetris, Daniel R., Doug Bandow, Vivek Prahladan, and Albert B. Wolf. Welcome to Israeli Nuclear Weapons 101. The National Interest. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec Gordon, Michael R. Deal Reached on Iran Nuclear Program; Limits on Fuel Would Lessen With Time. The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 July Web. 24 Oct Iran Nuclear Deal: Key Details. BBC News. BBC News, 16 Jan Web. 24 Oct Nuclear Arms Race. AMNH. American Museum of Natural History. Web. 24 Oct Nuclear Weapons UNODA. UN News Center. UN. Web. 24 Oct Nuclear Terrorism. Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) UNODA. UN News Center. UN. Web. 24 Oct Links