Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s strikes on Iran may undo 80 years of global efforts to control nuclear weapons.
- Experts warn this could lead to more countries building nuclear weapons.
- The world is now closer to a nuclear crisis than ever before.
- Trust in global agreements to limit nuclear arms is at risk of collapsing.
Imagine a world where almost every country has nuclear weapons. Sounds scary, right? For decades, world leaders have worked hard to prevent this nightmare. Now, some experts say President Trump’s recent actions against Iran might make this nightmare a reality.
What’s Happening? President Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which experts like David Faris call “reckless and illegal.” Faris, a professor and writer, says these actions could destroy 80 years of global efforts to control nuclear weapons.
What is the NPT? The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is like a rulebook for nuclear weapons. It has two main goals:
- Stop countries from building nuclear weapons.
- Encourage countries that already have nuclear weapons to get rid of them eventually.
Right now, nine countries have nuclear weapons, but they’ve mostly ignored the second part of the treaty.
Why Trump’s Actions Are Worrying Experts Faris and other experts are concerned that Trump’s actions could cause a “proliferation cascade.” This means more countries might start building nuclear weapons if they think it’s the only way to stay safe.
For example, if Iran decides to build nuclear weapons, neighboring countries might feel they need to do the same. Before long, many more countries could have nuclear weapons, making the world a much more dangerous place.
What’s the Big Deal? Experts worry that Trump’s strikes on Iran have damaged the trust that holds the NPT together. For decades, countries without nuclear weapons trusted that those with weapons would eventually disarm. Now, that trust is shattered.
Jon Wolfsthal, a former National Security Council staffer, points out that 40 countries have the technology to build nuclear weapons if they decide to. Without strong global agreements, these countries might feel tempted to take that step.
What’s Next? A world with more nuclear-armed countries is not just a problem for the future. It’s a danger right now. More nuclear weapons mean a higher risk of accidents, mistakes, or intentional attacks.
Faris says Trump’s actions have made the world less safe. The fear is that one wrong move could lead to a disaster we can’t even imagine.
The Bottom Line For years, the U.S. and other global leaders have worked to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Now, some experts believe Trump’s decisions have undone much of that progress. The result could be a world where nuclear weapons are more common, and the risk of catastrophe