With Global Tensions High, Experts Say Threat of Nuclear War Must Be Sharply Curbed
Prominent figures from 46 countries sign open letter to kick off Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons
The world must work together to ameliorate the rising danger of nuclear war, experts from 46 countries declared in an open letter released ahead of Monday's kick-off of the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons.
"We believe the risks posed by nuclear weapons and the international dynamics that could lead to nuclear weapons being used are under-estimated or insufficiently understood by world leaders," reads the statement, which commends the government of Austria for convening the conference.
Organized by the European Leadership Network--and signed by former diplomats, lawmakers, and others--the letter argues, "Tensions between nuclear-armed states and alliances in the Euro-Atlantic area and in both South and East Asia remain ripe with the potential for military miscalculation and escalations. In a vestige of the Cold War, too many nuclear weapons in the world remain ready to launch on a short notice, greatly increasing the chances of an accident."
The letter calls for international leaders to "use the Vienna Conference to launch a global discussion that would more accurately assess steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of intentional or unintentional use of nuclear weapons."
However, civil society organizations from around the world, who gathered before the Vienna conference at a summit organized by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, are taking it a step further and calling for a complete ban on nuclear arms. A global prohibition is "a humanitarian imperative that cannot be delayed," reads a statement from organizers released ahead of their forum.
Numerous countries have refused to attend the Vienna meeting of approximately 150 countries, which is the third of its kind. Israel, which is the only Middle East country in possession of nuclear weapons, is shunning the gathering. Russia, France and China--all of whom possess nuclear weapons--are also refusing to attend.
After staying away from previous meetings, Britain and the United States are both attending this conference. However, the state department announced last month that the U.S. will not engage in any "disarmament negotiations or pre-negotiation discussions."
Dr. Joseph Gerson, director of the Peace and Economic Security Programme at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), recently shared his predictions for the conference with Inter Press Service.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The world must work together to ameliorate the rising danger of nuclear war, experts from 46 countries declared in an open letter released ahead of Monday's kick-off of the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons.
"We believe the risks posed by nuclear weapons and the international dynamics that could lead to nuclear weapons being used are under-estimated or insufficiently understood by world leaders," reads the statement, which commends the government of Austria for convening the conference.
Organized by the European Leadership Network--and signed by former diplomats, lawmakers, and others--the letter argues, "Tensions between nuclear-armed states and alliances in the Euro-Atlantic area and in both South and East Asia remain ripe with the potential for military miscalculation and escalations. In a vestige of the Cold War, too many nuclear weapons in the world remain ready to launch on a short notice, greatly increasing the chances of an accident."
The letter calls for international leaders to "use the Vienna Conference to launch a global discussion that would more accurately assess steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of intentional or unintentional use of nuclear weapons."
However, civil society organizations from around the world, who gathered before the Vienna conference at a summit organized by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, are taking it a step further and calling for a complete ban on nuclear arms. A global prohibition is "a humanitarian imperative that cannot be delayed," reads a statement from organizers released ahead of their forum.
Numerous countries have refused to attend the Vienna meeting of approximately 150 countries, which is the third of its kind. Israel, which is the only Middle East country in possession of nuclear weapons, is shunning the gathering. Russia, France and China--all of whom possess nuclear weapons--are also refusing to attend.
After staying away from previous meetings, Britain and the United States are both attending this conference. However, the state department announced last month that the U.S. will not engage in any "disarmament negotiations or pre-negotiation discussions."
Dr. Joseph Gerson, director of the Peace and Economic Security Programme at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), recently shared his predictions for the conference with Inter Press Service.
The world must work together to ameliorate the rising danger of nuclear war, experts from 46 countries declared in an open letter released ahead of Monday's kick-off of the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons.
"We believe the risks posed by nuclear weapons and the international dynamics that could lead to nuclear weapons being used are under-estimated or insufficiently understood by world leaders," reads the statement, which commends the government of Austria for convening the conference.
Organized by the European Leadership Network--and signed by former diplomats, lawmakers, and others--the letter argues, "Tensions between nuclear-armed states and alliances in the Euro-Atlantic area and in both South and East Asia remain ripe with the potential for military miscalculation and escalations. In a vestige of the Cold War, too many nuclear weapons in the world remain ready to launch on a short notice, greatly increasing the chances of an accident."
The letter calls for international leaders to "use the Vienna Conference to launch a global discussion that would more accurately assess steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of intentional or unintentional use of nuclear weapons."
However, civil society organizations from around the world, who gathered before the Vienna conference at a summit organized by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, are taking it a step further and calling for a complete ban on nuclear arms. A global prohibition is "a humanitarian imperative that cannot be delayed," reads a statement from organizers released ahead of their forum.
Numerous countries have refused to attend the Vienna meeting of approximately 150 countries, which is the third of its kind. Israel, which is the only Middle East country in possession of nuclear weapons, is shunning the gathering. Russia, France and China--all of whom possess nuclear weapons--are also refusing to attend.
After staying away from previous meetings, Britain and the United States are both attending this conference. However, the state department announced last month that the U.S. will not engage in any "disarmament negotiations or pre-negotiation discussions."
Dr. Joseph Gerson, director of the Peace and Economic Security Programme at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), recently shared his predictions for the conference with Inter Press Service.