As Nukes Spread, Robust Missile Defenses Must Rise
Briefly

More countries are seeking to become nuclear-armed states, necessitating strong defense initiatives like the Golden Dome missile defense. Ukraine's relinquishment of its nuclear arsenal in the Budapest Memorandum is viewed as a major error, as it may have deterred Russian aggression in 2014 and 2022. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has prevented some spread of nuclear weapons, but nuclear capabilities have emerged in countries like North Korea, India, and Pakistan. China is expanding its nuclear arsenal and is not engaging in disarmament negotiations, while recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran highlight urgent nuclear threats.
The war in Ukraine highlights that Ukraine's decision to relinquish its nuclear arsenal for security assurances was a grave mistake, suggesting nuclear deterrence could have prevented invasion.
The NPT has had some success, yet countries like Pakistan, India, and North Korea have emerged as nuclear states, undermining non-proliferation efforts.
China continues to enhance its nuclear arsenal and is unwilling to engage in disarmament negotiations, posing a significant challenge to global nuclear stability.
Recent military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities underscore the urgent need to address the timeline for Iran's potential nuclear capabilities.
Read at The Cipher Brief
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