All articles tagged with #nuclear disarmament
China criticized the US for hypocrisy over nuclear disarmament, urging the US to reduce its nuclear arsenal while accusing it of hyping China's military build-up, as a Pentagon report indicated China is expanding its nuclear forces near Mongolia, with China asserting it follows a no-first-use policy and does not seek an arms race.
A-bomb survivors in Japan, led by Toshiyuki Mimaki, are advocating for nuclear disarmament amid rising tensions and an arms race in Asia, while Japan balances its moral stance against nuclear weapons with reliance on U.S. nuclear protection. The aging survivor community plans a final campaign to push for abolition, highlighting the ongoing global struggle over nuclear deterrence and disarmament.
The SIPRI Yearbook 2025 reports a resurgence in nuclear modernization programs among the nine nuclear-armed states, reversing long-term disarmament trends and raising concerns about a new, more complex arms race driven by advanced technologies like AI, cyber, and space capabilities, which could increase the risk of nuclear conflict.
Thirty years ago, Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from the U.S., U.K., and Russia under the Budapest Memorandum. However, Russia's subsequent aggression, including the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict, has left Ukraine questioning the decision. Critics argue that the memorandum failed to provide the promised security, and some suggest Ukraine should reconsider its nuclear stance. President Zelensky has emphasized the need for Ukraine to join alliances like NATO for protection, highlighting the memorandum's shortcomings.
Stars like Julianne Moore, Jane Fonda, and Emma Thompson have joined an open letter advocating for nuclear disarmament, coinciding with the release of Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer." The letter highlights the current global nuclear threat, with 13,000 weapons held by nine countries, and calls for action to make nuclear weapons history. The campaign, supported by actors and activists, aims to educate and raise awareness, with a billboard and art installation in Los Angeles drawing attention to the issue during the Oscars weekend.
Julianne Moore, Emma Thompson, and other celebrities have signed an open letter supporting the Nuclear Threat Initiative's "Make Nukes History" campaign, coinciding with the release of the film "Oppenheimer." The campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and advocate for their elimination. The initiative includes billboards, a social media campaign, and public art installations to emphasize the urgency of nuclear disarmament. NTI CEO Ernest J. Moniz and actor Matthew Modine have also spoken out about the need for political will and public demand to address the current nuclear arms race and the devastating impact of nuclear weapons testing.
The city of Nagasaki marked the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bomb attack amid heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Khanun. The storm forced the remembrance ceremony to be held indoors for the first time since 1963 and prevented Prime Minister Fumio Kishida from attending. The ceremony held a minute of silence at the exact moment the bomb was dropped, remembering the estimated 70,000 people killed and 75,000 injured in the blast. Leaders, including Kishida and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, called for nuclear disarmament and a world free from nuclear weapons.
Nagasaki commemorated the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing with the mayor urging world powers to abolish nuclear weapons, stating that nuclear deterrence increases the risk of nuclear war. The mayor expressed concern about the tragedy being forgotten and survivors' testimonies being overlooked. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who did not attend the memorial, faced criticism for justifying nuclear arms possession and refusing to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The mayor demanded the government sign and ratify the treaty to demonstrate Japan's commitment to nuclear disarmament.
Nagasaki commemorated the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing with the mayor urging world powers to abolish nuclear weapons, stating that nuclear deterrence increases the risk of nuclear war. The mayor expressed concern about the tragedy being forgotten and survivors' frustration with the slow progress of disarmament. The combination of social media posts about the "Barbenheimer" summer blitz and movies about J. Robert Oppenheimer sparked outrage in Japan for minimizing the toll of the bombings. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who did not attend the memorial, acknowledged the challenges in achieving a nuclear-free world due to rising tensions and conflicts. The mayor demanded the government sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and attend the upcoming meeting to demonstrate Japan's resolve to abolish nuclear weapons.
Nagasaki commemorated the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing with the mayor urging world powers to abolish nuclear weapons, stating that nuclear deterrence increases the risk of nuclear war. The mayor expressed concern about the tragedy being forgotten over time and survivors have expressed frustration with the slow progress of disarmament. The combination of social media posts about the "Barbenheimer" summer blitz and movies related to the atomic bomb sparked outrage in Japan. The mayor emphasized that knowing the reality of the atomic bombings is crucial for achieving a world without nuclear weapons, and survivors' testimonies serve as a true deterrence against their use. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who did not attend the memorial in person, acknowledged the challenges in achieving a nuclear-free world due to rising tensions and conflicts. The mayor demanded that the Japanese government sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to demonstrate Japan's resolve to abolish nuclear weapons.
Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, are dedicated to keeping the memory of the tragedy alive. Through powerful testimonies and daily talks at the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Museum, survivors and their successors share their stories to ensure that the world does not forget. Inspired by the survivors, a program was launched where candidates learn to present the stories of hibakusha to younger generations. With the average age of survivors now 85, there is an urgent need to train more successors to pass on this heritage. While Hiroshima continues to fight for peace and nuclear disarmament, survivors and successors are spreading the word through face-to-face encounters, expressing their passion and emotion to create dialogue and interaction.
Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in the 1990s in exchange for financial assistance, legitimacy as a new state, fear of retaliation from Russia, technical problems with managing and controlling the nuclear weapons on its territory, and security assurances. The Budapest Memorandum committed the U.S., U.K., and Russia to “refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine.” However, since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, many have questioned if Ukraine made a mistake in giving up its nuclear weapons and if the West was wrong to demand that Ukraine do so.
Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in the 1990s in exchange for financial assistance, legitimacy as a new state, fear of retaliation from Russia, technical problems with managing and controlling the nuclear weapons on its territory, and security assurances. The Budapest Memorandum committed the U.S., U.K., and Russia to “refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine.” However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014 has led some to question the value of the memorandum and whether Ukraine made a mistake in giving up its nuclear weapons.
Russia's Foreign Ministry has accused the G7 of using nuclear "rhetoric" to exert psychological, military, and political pressure on Moscow and Beijing. The G7 had called on Russia and China to show greater transparency about their nuclear arsenals, similar to steps taken by the US, UK, and France. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the statement reflects the group's anti-Russian and anti-Chinese tone.
The G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, saw world leaders discuss international relations and nuclear disarmament. The summit was held in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders discussing the global response to the crisis. The summit also saw discussions on climate change and the global economy.