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Nuclear Weapons: The “Humanitarian” Weapon – A Critical Review of the Current Global Crisis
The World Socialist Web Site’s latest article, “Nuclear Weapons: The ‘Humanitarian’ Weapon” (published 8 November 2025), brings the global nuclear crisis back into sharp focus. While the article is brief in its main body, it serves as a portal to a broader discussion about the continuing threat posed by nuclear arms, the deceptive rhetoric of “humanitarian” uses, and the urgent need for disarmament. By following the internal links embedded in the piece—most of which lead to earlier WSWS analyses on nuclear strategy, the role of the United States and Russia, and the workings of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—the article constructs a comprehensive narrative about why the nuclear age remains a dire threat to world peace.
The “Humanitarian” Argument – A Facade of Responsibility
The central thesis of the article is that the notion of nuclear weapons as “humanitarian” instruments is a cynical ploy. It highlights the rhetoric used by leaders of nuclear‑armed states—particularly the United States and Russia—who frequently justify their arsenals by claiming that nuclear deterrence prevents war. The article points out that this argument is largely rhetorical, designed to reassure the domestic populace of their leaders’ moral superiority while the world watches the escalation of arsenals and the deterioration of global security.
It cites the latest statements from President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin, who both refer to nuclear weapons as “the ultimate safeguard.” Yet the article stresses that these assurances are misplaced; the sheer destructive capacity of nuclear weapons means that even a single accidental detonation would wipe out entire cities and cause an irreversible ecological catastrophe. The piece therefore argues that such rhetoric serves only to mask the underlying threat posed by these weapons, and that “humanitarian” claims are an exercise in political propaganda.
Arms Race and Modernization – A Global Spiral
The article references the continuous modernisation programmes of both the United States and Russia, each aiming to develop more advanced delivery systems—hypersonic glide vehicles, stealth missiles, and re‑engineering of warheads to evade existing missile‑defence systems. It explains that the U.S. has invested heavily in the next‑generation nuclear triad, while Russia continues to upgrade its strategic bombers and submarine‑launched missiles. As a result, the world faces an unprecedented increase in the number of operational nuclear weapons, raising the probability of accidental launches, miscalculations, or outright escalations.
It draws upon the WSWS’s earlier coverage of the 2023 U.S. “Defense Strategy Review” and Russia’s 2024 “Strategic Offensive Forces Plan,” which are linked within the article. These documents are examined to demonstrate how both superpowers perceive a “new cold war” mentality, with the nuclear arsenal acting as a central pillar of each nation’s military strategy. By juxtaposing these modernisation plans with the international community’s calls for disarmament, the article shows the stark contrast between official policy and the moral stance of peace advocates.
The Role of the IAEA and International Law
A significant portion of the article deals with the IAEA’s inability to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It notes that while the agency can monitor civilian nuclear programmes and enforce safeguards, it has no real power over countries that possess nuclear weapons. The article calls this “a glaring flaw in the international security system,” highlighting how states can pursue nuclear programmes under the guise of peaceful intentions while simultaneously developing strategic weapons. The article links to the IAEA’s 2025 annual report, which outlines the agency’s achievements but also its limitations in curbing nuclear proliferation.
The piece also examines the legal framework surrounding nuclear weapons—particularly the 2017 United Nations Security Council resolution urging states to “take steps to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear weapon detonation” and the 2022 Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It criticises the NPT for being a two‑tier system that legitimises nuclear states while excluding them from disarmament obligations, thereby entrenching an unfair global power structure.
Historical Context – Lessons from the Cold War
The article briefly revisits the Cold War era, pointing out how the nuclear deterrence doctrine, known as Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), prevented direct confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. Yet it also underlines that MAD was a precarious balance of terror that kept the world on the brink for decades. By linking to the WSWS’s in‑depth series on the collapse of the Soviet Union, the article shows how the subsequent power vacuum and the fragmentation of the Soviet nuclear arsenal created new proliferation risks, especially in the hands of post‑Soviet republics.
It also reflects on how the 1991‑1995 post‑Cold War period offered a rare window for nuclear disarmament, with the signing of the 1992 START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). However, the article notes that the current geopolitical climate, marked by rising nationalism, economic competition, and the erosion of multilateralism, has seen the rollback of these efforts.
Calls for Collective Action – A Path Forward
In the concluding section, the article calls for a united, global effort to dismantle nuclear arsenals. It stresses that such a strategy must be led by the working class and the global poor, who bear the brunt of nuclear war’s devastation. It proposes the following concrete measures:
- Immediate moratorium on nuclear modernization – A global cease‑fire on new weapons systems, coupled with the halt of current production.
- International verification mechanisms – Strengthening the IAEA’s mandate and establishing a global nuclear disarmament watchdog with enforcement powers.
- Re‑engagement in multilateral treaties – Reviving the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty (CTBT) and negotiating a binding treaty that obliges nuclear states to dismantle their arsenals.
- Public pressure and solidarity campaigns – Mobilising mass movements and using social media to hold governments accountable for nuclear policies.
The article ends with a stark reminder that nuclear weapons are not “humanitarian” tools; they are a threat to human existence. It urges readers to support the global disarmament movement, engage in grassroots organising, and challenge the state narratives that continue to justify the maintenance and expansion of nuclear arsenals.
Contextual Links and Further Reading
Throughout the piece, the author incorporates hyperlinks to a number of internal WSWS pages that deepen the reader’s understanding of specific aspects of nuclear policy:
- “The United States Strategic Doctrine 2025” – An analysis of the latest U.S. nuclear strategy documents.
- “Russia’s Modernisation Programme” – A close look at Russian missile development and strategic objectives.
- “IAEA Safeguards and the Limits of Non‑Proliferation” – An examination of the agency’s role and its challenges.
- “Post‑Soviet Nuclear Proliferation” – A historical account of how the Soviet collapse impacted global nuclear safety.
- “The NPT Two‑Tier System” – A critique of the non‑proliferation treaty’s structural inequities.
Each of these links expands on the arguments presented in the article, offering a broader context for the reader. They also illustrate the interconnectedness of nuclear policy, international law, and global politics. By following these threads, one can gain a fuller appreciation of why the nuclear age remains a pressing threat and why the fight for disarmament must be an international, class‑based struggle.
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Read the Full World Socialist Web Site Article at:
[ https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/11/08/hnji-n08.html ]