The threat of nuclear non-proliferation is no longer being contained by the nuclear non-proliferation regime; at its heart, the nuclear non-proliferation treaty is allowing proliferators through its loop holes. As of 2001, the United States administration has adopted new measures in response to this increasing threat of nuclear proliferation. This paper proposes that these new measures adopted by the United States are neither effective in countering nuclear proliferation nor protecting against nuclear attack. The larger repercussion of these new measures is that the larger nuclear non-proliferation regime is undermined, reducing the security of the world at large, thereby increasing the likelihood of nuclear proliferation and nuclear attack. The conclusion of this assessment is that the nuclear regime for its failings is a necessary bedrock for a world where nuclear non-proliferation is a norm. This regime, and the treaty, is reliant on multilateral buy-in, NPT and secondly build new mechanisms to counter the new drivers affecting both demand and supply of nuclear weaponization.
When the NPT was created, with a 25 year end by date, it was not envisioned to be long standing edifice of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. It has surpassed original expectations and become an successful example of multilateral, international law. There is an opportunity to lead in shoring up the treaty and accompanying watch-dog to ensure an effective nuclear non-proliferation regime. In an increasingly multi-polar world where the US is no longer global hegemonic power, the US needs to lever these mechanisms to protect its own national security because unilateral, ‘coalition’ regional interventions are not sufficient.
Carter Writing NPT, nuclear proliferation, nuclear weapons, United States
Friday, December 10th, 2010
I have been updating this website/blog hybrid and taking stock of the journey I have been on to get here. I was in Syria, studying Arabic the last time this site saw me. I am currently in East London, recuperating after a long, troubled week working for the strategic division of the ‘people’ part of NHS London; an outcome even I would not have predicted. But what a journey. I am not sure if this is part of growing up but I am learning so much, and the more I learn the more humility I realise I need.
But it is a pivotal day, I realised last night that really I need to be a contemporary writer, one that travels, that writes about the history of conflict and our national geography – two subjects that might seem poor bed fellows but which make me tick and infatuate me. This is a big departure from seeking out my doom in policy and trying to infiltrate the world of politics and policy in a bid to pull humankind up by our boot straps (yes I did assume I knew best, or at least was driven by the right things). So the light bulb is on, the question is where this will take me, or rather how far I can take this. I have a lot of pitfalls, not least toning my patronising tone, making myself less waffly and making my writing accessible rather than unnecessarily verbose (it will take some conserted effort). Watch this space.
Carter Writing
Sunday – nearly all the shops are shut. Walk down the Corniche – the road just outside the apt block I’m staying in. Loads of people out – jogging, power walking or just chatting in groups. People set up on the side-walk and on the ‘beach’ (rocks) with plastic chairs, shisha and tea.
Fishermen – boys and men out going for a swim – I want to join but there are no females out there, I’m by myself and I don’t have a swimming costume. Man in camo fatigues with a small fluffy dog. Maureen tells me dogs are new thing as they are considered dirty in Islam. It is now a status symbol to have them.
Two of the areas I walk through are Al Hamra and Ras Beirut. Find me some Arabic kahwa – strong black coffee. It’s muggy and even begins to spit a little – I’m sorry Beirut for bringing British weather. See 2 starbucks, a mac donalds and a crispy crème. Sad. Shops, cafes, everyone speaks english and french although I try a couple words and phrases – shokran, a7wa, laa, na3am.
Internet café – all Beiruti young guys but don’t feel threatened in the least. The odd yell and victory chant (yes it sounds the same the world over) has me looking around to see the whole place is playing what looks like world of warcraft. Yes they are each sitting at their station waging virtual war against each other.
Concert at AUB in the evening – invited by Maureen. So tired having wondered about in circles on own, but really enjoyEinw Symphonie-Cantate(Mendelssohn).
Food: Manoosheh bil jabna wa zatar and dinner lots of things – shwarma, hommos, eggplant but not babaganoush, balloon pitta. And Arak, mmmm. Now all I need to do is remember all the words for this and find someone to go smoke a Narjilah with me.
Carter Writing AUB, Beirut, Corniche, food, Hamra
Just arrived in Beirut. Saturday night is in full swing – car horns honking, music pumping, loads of people walking down the road which happens to be the Corniche, Ein Mreisse, ‘the’pace to hang out on a Saturday night in Beirut. Groups of people are relaxing, chatting, smoking nargileh (shisha) and listening to their car radios. I have found my self in a beautiful building on the main promenade looking out over the sea. I am staying with my friend’s mum and I can’t believe my luck First meal, Persian food from the farmers market, Souk El Tayeb (note: rice with orange peel really works) I realized just how little Arabic I know on the plane over despite taking over 40 hours of Arabic classes as I was wracking my brain for a polite way to say ‘I am headed to Corniche Ein mresisse’ let alone how to pronounce Ein Mreisse. But I was fortunate because I had a cab waiting for me and even a lovely driver with my name on a sign, stylish arrival. And once I got to look at Beirut I saw the billboards with English and Arabic and realized I didn’t have a clue what the Arabic meant, but Beirut at least would cut me some slack as there is English and French everywhere. I have a steep learning curve… But it’s incredible here. We drove through downtown and I realized just how glitzy and modern this city is. My driver Bachir can speak English (as well as several other languages) and told me he left Beirut during the civil war but that he’d lost his money on a gamble in Europe. Oh? A restaurant that went belly up? A flaky European girl? No gambling, it had all gone on gambling.
My flight was fine and somehow the army of wailing babies simmered down for the flight – there was one who growled like a panther (?!) The flight was bound for Khartoum, I could have stayed on, just think of the adventure… Next time. Well hopefully next time I’ll take the train across, and a boat from Cyprus or Turkey, now that would really be stylish. Visa was really easy – think my white blazer did the trick.
Thinking Damascus might be the place to go to learn Arabic, just got to negotiate a good price. My hostess is incredible and has helped write material for the American University of Beirut – can’t believe my luck! I’ll figure out classes on Monday. Tomorrow is for exploring. I can’t believe I’m here but the honking is unmistakable.
Carter Writing Beirut, travel
