Is it realistic or even wise to envision a world without nuclear weapons? More and more people seem to think so. Barack Obama is himself on board, having declared "America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." But that is easier said than done. Michael O'Hanlon puts his own indelible stamp on this critical issue in "A Skeptic's Case for Nuclear Disarmament."
Calls to "ban the bomb" are as old as the bomb itself, but the pace and organization have picked up greatly recently. The growing Global Zero movement, for example, wants to rid the world of nuclear weapons by 2030, with treaty negotiations to begin in 2019.
Would this be prudent or even feasible in a world that remains dangerous, divided, and unpredictable? After all, America's nuclear arsenal has been its military trump card since World War II. Pursuing zero prematurely or carelessly could alarm allies, leading them to consider building their own weapons the opposite of the intended effect.
O'Hanlon endorses nuclear disarmament, but with conditions. He clearly presents the dangers of nuclear weapons and the advantages of disarmament as a goal. He believes that even once an accord is in place, however, temporary suspension of restrictions may be necessary in response to urgent threats such as nuclear "cheating" or discovery of an advanced biological weapons program.
"Even once we eliminate nuclear weapons, we will have to accept the fact that we may not have done so forever." The genie is out of the bottle, so to take all nuclear options off the table forever strengthens the hand of those that either do not make that pledge or do not honor it. But dismantling existing bomb inventories, in recognition of their dangerous and destabilizing potential, should become our goal, as President Obama has rightly emphasized.
Industry Reviews
" A Skeptic's Case for Nuclear Disarmament is a hard-headed look at the tough issues we face in reducing global nuclear dangers and preventing catastrophic terrorism. O'Hanlon provides a thoughtful, pragmatic, and detailed plan for reversing reliance on nuclear weapons and moving toward a world without them -and he makes a convincing case why this will make America and the world more secure." -Sam Nunn, Co-chairman, Nuclear Threat Initiative, and former senator from Georgia |"No policy debate today is more important than the ongoing debate on the elimination of nuclear weapons. Michael O'Hanlon takes a clear, analytical look at the implications of nuclear disarmament. He argues that abolition is impractical, but that dismantlement of all nuclear weapons is imperative. His book makes a major contribution to this vital issue." -William J. Perry, former U.S. Secretary of Defense |" A Skeptic's Case for Nuclear Disarmament is a thoughtful exploration of key issues that citizens and government officials should evaluate prior to deciding whether to pursue the elimination of nuclear weapons. Michael O'Hanlon analyzes these questions in a fair and balanced way, presenting the arguments on both sides and drawing his own conclusions. The book is an important contribution to the continuing debate on the roles of nuclear weapons in international security and the risks run by all nations by their continued existence." -Barry M. Blechman, Distinguished Fellow, Henry L. Stimson Center
