BACKGROUND GUIDE:

DISEC

Nuclear Proliferation
Introduction/Background:

Nuclear weapons have been a problem ever since World War II. The development of
these weapons has been increasing and the threat that these weapons hold is dangerous to
the human race. The usage of these weapons can obliterate the every single country. The
regulation of these weapons and the disarmament of these weapons are key for the human
survival. At first, superpowers held nuclear weapons to hold as a final option in a war.
Now, more lower developed countries are obtaining weapons. According to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation treaty of 1968, the signed countries will be sanction if they developed
or obtained nuclear weapons. Most of these countries have obtained these weapons and
have not been penalized. The spread of these weapons in conflict zones are especially
concerning.
After World War II, a time of hostile relations between the Soviet Union and the
United States called the Cold War occupied international relations. The two nuclear
weapon states, constantly trying to maintain power over the other, engaged in an arms
race throughout the Cold War. In 1986, the total number of nuclear weapons peaked at
approximately 70,000 internationally.163 At this time, former United States President,
Ronald Reagan, and the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, met at the
Reykjavik Summit and agreed to try to reduce the number of weapons.164 This
agreement was made because both leaders agreed that nuclear disarmament could
contribute positively to both countries and recognized the social and political dangers

posed by nuclear proliferation. Despite this diplomatic effort, the Soviet Union and
United States still posed massive threats to one another because of their own nuclear
stockpiles, and continued disagreements about non-proliferation efforts led to distrust
between the two countries.
Yet the trend of suspending nuclear activity was disrupted in 1998 when Pakistan
and India broke the moratorium and conducted nuclear tests.170 Not only was this was a
disruption of nonproliferation efforts, but the tests alarmed the international community
because of the history of war between the two countries. India conducted tests on 11 and
13 May 1998, and two weeks later Pakistan conducted tests in reaction.171 The
international community responded by suspending all foreign military and economic
assistance to these countries.172 The sanctions led to a global decrease in nuclear testing
and convinced both countries to unilaterally and immediately suspend their nuclear
programs. Since 1998, neither India nor Pakistan have conducted any tests.173 Delegates
should consider the value of sanctions, as demonstrated by this example. Although the
use of sanctions is not supported by all states or even possible under some circumstances
in the Middle East, delegates should still keep this example in mind.
These early non-proliferation efforts were incredibly significant, representing the
first time that countries universally agreed to halt the study and testing of nuclear
technology. However, this also showed that countries could easily disregard disarmament
efforts. The example of India and Pakistan shows the need for more unified and stronger
efforts to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Although states without official
nuclear programs have refrained from nuclear activity, it is important to realize that many
countries still have significant stockpiles of weapons that are capable of causing severe
damage.
A major landmark created by the United Nations to promote nuclear nonproliferation was the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT was created to help limit
the expansion of nuclear weapons. It was opened for signing in 1968 and was meant to
promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.174 Today, it
is considered a long-term treaty used to further the goal of eventual total nuclear
disarmament. This treaty is significant because it is the only legally binding commitment
to nonproliferation, having been ratified by all five nuclear weapon states.175 Currently,

190 parties have ratified the NPT, making it the most successful international nonproliferation treaty to date.176 India, Pakistan, and Israel are the only states that have yet
to sign the NPT. Despite their apparent lack of nuclear development since 1998, India
and Pakistans hostility towards non-proliferation poses a threat to international security
because they are not legally bound to limit expansion in nuclear technology.

Current Situation:

Nuclear proliferation remains an imperative topic at hand today as many nations struggle.
Some agreements to combat the issue have taken affect, for example the recent Iran
Nuclear Deal, and other issues have yet to be solved like the problem with North Koreas
nuclear plans. Ultimately, a comprehensive solution must be reached before these stored
weapons become the instigators of the next world war.

The Problem:

Some countries do not follow the treaties and need to checked up. They need to be
checked by other countries and the UN.

Bloc Positions:

United States
Russia
United Kingdom
France
China
India
Pakistan
North Korea
Israel
South Africa

Iran
Belgium
Germany
Italy
Netherlands
Turkey
Ukraine
Libya
Iraq
Syria
Japan
South Korea
Canada
Brazil
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Switzerland
Egypt
Mexico
Spain
United Arab Emirates
Nigeria
Afghanistan
Denmark
Kenya
Indonesia
Australia
Singapore
Philippines
Jordan

Committee Mission:
For this topic, the ultimate goal of this committee is to establish a Nuclear-Weapon-Free
Zone (NWFZ) in the Middle East. Thus, it is important that delegates understand the
nature of these zones and the history of their establishment in other regions. By
understanding this, DISEC can effectively consider how an NWFZ could be established
in the Middle East. An NWFZ is an area recognized by the General Assembly in which
any group of states, in the free exercises of their sovereignty, establishes a zone
completely absent of nuclear weapons.192 NWFZs are established to gradually
delegitimize the use of nuclear weapons, beginning at a regional level. These zones are
intended to help complement and reinforce previous resolutions such as the NPT and
CTBT. NWFZs are under an international verification system that guarantees that states
are complying with the obligations of the established NWFZ.

Questions to Consider:
1.) Nuclear weapons need to disbanded, but how should they be?
2.) All countries are sovereign so how can the commit

Sources for Further Research:

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/nonproliferation.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1963312/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/nuclear-proliferation/