Simone Lawson
Nuclear diplomacy is a form of international relations that involves the use of nuclear weapons or the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals. Nuclear diplomacy can be used to prevent nuclear war and the proliferation of nuclear weapons during peacetime. It can also be used to influence international politics and advance a country's interests. Nuclear diplomacy has been used by both large powers such as the United States and middle powers such as Japan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa. Nuclear diplomacy is a complex issue that requires a nonpartisan approach and the involvement of various stakeholders to be effective.
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What You'll Learn
Nuclear diplomacy as a 'niche' for middle powers
Nuclear diplomacy is a form of diplomacy that involves the use of nuclear weapons or the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals and strengthen a nation's advantage in international relations. It is a sensitive and controversial topic that has shaped international relations and continues to be a significant concern for many nations.
While the term "nuclear diplomacy" may evoke images of major powers such as the United States, Russia, and other nuclear-armed superpowers, it is important to recognize that middle powers also play a crucial role in this domain. Middle powers refer to medium-sized countries that have a significant degree of international influence but are not considered global powers. These nations have recognized the importance of nuclear issues and have actively engaged in nuclear diplomacy to promote their global interests.
Japan, for instance, has an undeniable legitimacy in addressing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation due to its tragic history as the only nation to have experienced nuclear attacks in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. This historical context, coupled with its advanced civilian nuclear program, enhances Japan's credibility and enables it to use nuclear diplomacy as a niche to advance its interests worldwide.
Other middle powers, such as Kazakhstan and South Africa, have also been noted for their engagement in nuclear diplomacy. These countries encompass all aspects of nuclear issues, including security, politics, economy, and energy, in their policies. By adopting this approach, middle powers can act as bridge-builders and mediators between nuclear-weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear-weapon states (NWS), contributing to the construction of their identities and advancing their security, political, and economic interests.
The effectiveness of middle powers in nuclear diplomacy lies in their ability to claim multiple types of legitimacy, which can be asserted by both state and non-state actors. This legitimacy allows them to influence the global nuclear order and address critical issues such as proliferation, deterrence, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. By engaging in niche diplomacy, middle powers can strengthen nuclear-related regimes and promote stability and cooperation in the international arena.
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Nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation
Nuclear diplomacy refers to the use of nuclear issues as a "niche" to promote a country's interests worldwide. Nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation are key aspects of this diplomacy, and they are closely linked to a country's security, political, and economic interests.
Nuclear disarmament refers to the act of eliminating or abolishing weapons, particularly offensive arms, either unilaterally or reciprocally. This can involve reducing the number of arms or eliminating entire categories of weapons. Progress on disarmament reinforces nonproliferation efforts and facilitates peaceful nuclear cooperation. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is a landmark international treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and achieve nuclear disarmament. The NPT is the cornerstone of international nonproliferation efforts and has been ratified by more countries than any other arms limitation agreement.
However, critics argue that the NPT has had limited success in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. They point to the combined stockpile of warheads still possessed by nuclear-weapon states and the difficulty of preventing states from using nuclear reactors to produce nuclear weapons. Additionally, some argue that disarmament by superpowers could make the possession of nuclear weapons more attractive to other states, as a small arsenal could have increased strategic value.
Nonproliferation refers to all efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and reverse proliferation if it occurs, without the use of military force. It applies to both weapons of mass destruction and conventional capabilities. NATO, for example, actively contributes to nonproliferation efforts through its policies, activities, and the efforts of Allied countries. NATO Allies are parties to several treaties and agreements that promote nonproliferation, including the NPT, and they cooperate with organizations like the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Nuclear diplomacy, therefore, involves a delicate balance between disarmament and nonproliferation efforts, with both working together to strengthen the global nuclear order and address issues such as proliferation, deterrence, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
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The birth of nuclear diplomacy
On August 15, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced his nation's unconditional surrender following the United States' deployment of the atomic bomb. This marked the birth of nuclear diplomacy, as the US considered how the immense destructive power of nuclear weapons could strengthen its advantage in postwar diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the development of the atomic bomb in 1942 but kept the project a secret from the Soviets. After Roosevelt's death in April 1945, President Harry Truman decided to maintain this secrecy. In July 1945, Truman, along with Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, met at the Potsdam Conference to negotiate governmental control. Although the US did not explicitly threaten Stalin with the atomic bomb, Truman hoped that America's exclusive control of nuclear weapons would convince the Soviets to rethink their plans to spread communism throughout Asia and Europe via post-war Japan.
Historian Gar Alperovitz, in his 1965 book *Atomic Diplomacy: Hiroshima and Potsdam*, argues that Truman's atomic hints at the Potsdam meeting constituted the first use of atomic diplomacy. He contends that the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not necessary to force Japan's surrender and were instead intended to influence postwar diplomacy with the Soviet Union. Other historians, however, believe that Truman genuinely thought the bombings were needed to secure Japan's surrender.
In the years following World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a dangerous form of 'atomic diplomacy'. Both nations frequently employed this strategy during the first two decades of the Cold War. For instance, in response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948-1949, President Truman stationed several B-29 bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, at US airbases near Berlin. The Soviets successfully tested their first atomic bomb in 1949, ending the US monopoly on nuclear weapons and further intensifying the Cold War.
Middle powers, such as Japan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, have also engaged in nuclear diplomacy, using it as a niche to promote their interests and address issues like proliferation, deterrence, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Nuclear diplomacy continues to be a relevant strategy in international relations, with debates surrounding transactional approaches versus grand bargains and the role of nuclear diplomacy in addressing national security concerns.
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The transactional vs grand bargain approach
Nuclear diplomacy refers to the use of nuclear issues as a "niche" to promote a country's interests worldwide. It involves leveraging the threat of nuclear weapons to strengthen a nation's advantage in diplomatic relations.
The transactional approach to nuclear diplomacy focuses on reducing the nuclear threat by addressing the most pressing issues at hand. Proponents of this approach argue that comprehensive deals to transform political relationships are unrealistic and that incremental transactions are more likely to lead to tangible progress. They believe that each step taken can reduce near-term security risks and make subsequent steps toward reconciliation more realistic. The transactional approach is often seen as a path toward broader engagement and reconciliation.
On the other hand, the grand bargain approach seeks a transformative deal that addresses other "malign behaviors" beyond just the nuclear threat. Supporters of this approach, known as "grand bargainers", counter that any deal that isn't comprehensive will face opposition from important stakeholders. They argue that a piecemeal or transactional approach is insufficient and that a broader bargain is necessary to address the complex issues at play.
The debate between these two approaches is evident in the United States' dealings with Iran and North Korea. The Trump administration favored a transformational approach, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear agreement and pushing for complete denuclearization in North Korea. Critics argue that this all-or-nothing approach missed opportunities for incremental transactions that could pave the way for more comprehensive solutions.
On the other hand, the Obama administration's Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran was seen as a transactional agreement, focusing exclusively on Iran's nuclear challenge without addressing other objectionable aspects of Iranian behavior. Similarly, the 1994 Agreed Framework between the US and North Korea was a transactional deal where North Korea agreed to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for proliferation-resistant nuclear power reactors and fuel oil.
The choice between the transactional and grand bargain approaches depends on the specific context and goals of the diplomatic engagement. While transactional diplomacy may provide a path toward broader engagement, there are also arguments for seeking comprehensive solutions that address the underlying issues comprehensively.
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Nuclear diplomacy in the 21st century
Nuclear diplomacy refers to the use of nuclear weapons or the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals. It also involves the prevention of nuclear war and peacetime proliferation. Nuclear diplomacy in the 21st century is a complex and evolving field, with new dimensions and challenges emerging in the global landscape.
The 21st century has seen a shift in the nature of nuclear diplomacy, with a focus on restoring and strengthening nuclear diplomacy to prevent catastrophic nuclear threats. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, has reoriented national priorities, highlighting the danger of ignoring growing catastrophic threats. There is a recognition that traditional means of restoring nuclear diplomacy may not be effective, and new approaches are needed. This includes nonpartisan efforts to counter the allure of defense contracts and the need to partner with mass movements of the current era, such as climate action or healthcare, to secure the required government funding for new programs.
The role of middle powers in nuclear diplomacy has also evolved in the 21st century. Middle powers refer to medium-sized countries that use "nuclear diplomacy" as a niche to advance their international interests. Countries like Japan, South Africa, and Kazakhstan have developed "nuclear diplomacy" as a "niche diplomacy," influencing the global nuclear order and addressing issues such as proliferation, deterrence, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. They act as bridge-builders and mediators between nuclear-weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear-weapon states (NWS).
In the 21st century, nuclear diplomacy is characterized by a combination of transactional and transformative approaches. The transactional approach, as seen in the Agreed Framework between the United States and North Korea, focuses on reducing the nuclear threat by addressing the most pressing issues. On the other hand, the transformative approach, or "grand bargain," seeks to address other "malign behaviors" and achieve comprehensive political transformations. Analysts debate which approach is more effective in achieving tangible progress and gaining the support of important stakeholders.
Additionally, the 21st century has witnessed the emergence of new nuclear powers, such as India, which has acquired a responsible status in the global civil nuclear order. India's nuclear diplomacy is based on the principle of credible minimum deterrence, emphasizing no first use (NFU) with an assured second-strike capability. India's engagement with the global community in the nuclear domain has strengthened its position and provided increased leverage in conducting foreign policy on a regional and international level.
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Frequently asked questions
Nuclear diplomacy deals with the prevention of nuclear war and the use of the threat of nuclear warfare to achieve diplomatic goals. It involves negotiating and influencing international politics to advance a country's interests. Nuclear diplomacy can be used to strengthen a country's position in the global civil nuclear order and address issues such as proliferation, deterrence, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
One of the earliest examples of nuclear diplomacy was the United States' use of the atomic bomb against Japan in 1945, which led to Japan's unconditional surrender and demonstrated the immense destructive power of nuclear weapons. Another example is the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, where the United States and the Soviet Union were able to avoid nuclear war through a series of negotiations and compromises. More recently, the Agreed Framework between the United States and North Korea in 1994 represented a bold application of nuclear diplomacy, aiming to freeze North Korea's nuclear weapons program in exchange for fuel oil and proliferation-resistant nuclear power reactors.
Modern nuclear diplomacy faces challenges such as the absence of bipartisan consensus for arms control and the allure of defense contracts. However, there are also opportunities for collaboration between arms control advocates and movements focused on climate action or healthcare. Additionally, middle powers, such as Japan, South Africa, and Kazakhstan, have utilized nuclear diplomacy as a niche to promote their global interests and influence the global nuclear order. Nuclear diplomacy requires various types of legitimacy and can serve as a bridge between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states.
