Ever since 2018, when the US pulled out of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Iran's nuclear activity has been steadily increasing. In 2019 Iran began to ignore the nuclear program limitations, violating the JCPOA. Since then Iran has been resuming nuclear activities. Up until 2021 they have announced new plans to develop activities for uranium metal production. With this they seek to eventually design a fuel for Tehran research reactor. ( Yet another violation of JCPOA) Because of this violation, Iran is not supposed to produce uranium for another 15 years. But what’s to stop them from doing so?
Iran’s increase of nuclear activity is creating conflict in the middle east, specifically in Israel. In 2020 Iran’s top nuclear scientist ( Mohsen Fakhrizadeh) was killed by a remote weapon controlled by a satellite. In the early 2000’s Fakhrizadeh had a huge role in Iran’s nuclear program.. Now, Iran believes that it was Israel’s doing. Although it is not clear from the Iranian side of what actually happened due to their story changing significantly, it is reported that Fakhrizadeh was wounded with his car completely damaged with bullet holes and later exploded. Iran’s response to this had the media project a threat of revenge for their scientists killing. With all fingers pointed at Israel, they have not yet spoken out on the supposed allegations.
Israel and Saudia Arabia have recently been seeking support through each other, hoping nuclear activity will wind down in Iran. Afraid of what might happen, these two powers- ones we never would have thought would side together, are eager to establish diplomatic relations. Some questions we might ask are: Is this an effect of fear? Is fear preventing or creating conflict in this situation?
Discussion questions:
Why is the majority of the world opposed to the idea of countries getting new nuclear weapons?
Why do you think certain countries feel they need nuclear weapons? How can this relate to fear?
Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, explained
The world is opposed to countries getting nuclear weapons because it is afraid of the threat of nuclear war worsening and becoming more likely, especially if nuclear weapons programs are started in new, unpredictable countries that are considered wild cards. The spread of nuclear weapons programs across the world also takes power and influence away from countries that already have nuclear weapons, because the upper hand they have is diminished, driving them to oppose it.
ReplyDeleteCountries are opposed to others obtaining nuclear weapons because war is bad, nuclear war is way worse. Building on that idea, it makes sense that countries would want some sort of nuclear power because no one wants to be the odd one out or get caught without this great power. I think the reason why nuclear weapons are becoming more normalized is because the desire for countries to disarm is extremely hypocritical. Everyone wants others to disarm but oh no, WE don't want to disarm because WE are responsible and WE don't think you should have this power. When in fact we are just scared that if we disarm, then boom, labeled as a weak country. I wonder if nuclear war is just the next phase of war, you know horseback and swords n shields then guns and tanks and now nukes?
ReplyDeleteThe world opposes the introduction of any nuclear power as it only adds to both the severity of a possible nuclear war and the chances of it occurring. While certain nations might see nuclear power as a necessity, the majority would oppose a new country gaining nuclear power as it adds an entirely new factor that could go wrong. Especially if the country is one of corruption, conflict, and mismanagement, the risk of accidentally or rashly launching a nuclear weapon would be relatively high.
ReplyDeleteThe world opposes other countries getting nuclear weapons because it's a source of threat that likely has no end. Nuclear weapons, once initiated an attack by one country, another country will have time to launch a counter nuclear attack. However, those nuclear attacks will likely already have destroyed the world. Therefore, once one country adopt nuclear weapons, they are an anonymous threat that even a superpower, like the U.S., cannot manage. Similar to North Korea, the country will likely be able to do anything and it's hard for U.S. or China or any other country to control or manage. Nuclear weapons promise a say and a threat in its world standing. This arouses fear in other countries, and more countries want nuclear weapons.
ReplyDeleteCertain countries feel like they need nuclear weapons because the weapon serves as a deterrence, and a source of fear. Nuclear weapons are known to cause massive destruction, and countries that get nuked will suffer from rebuilding and the death of many civilians. This fear of this situation causes other nations to want to appease the countries with nuclear weapons, so they have a better chance of avoiding a nuclear war with that country. There is also the fact that fear of getting nuked can allow a country to have a much better chance at getting what they want out of a negotiation.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the world opposes the idea of countries attaining nuclear weapons because the threat of nuclear war is just too large and terrifying. Once a nation stocks up on nuclear weapons, other nations will also want to stock up on their own which only leads to tension between nations and constant fear of nuclear war.
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