politics Flashcards
offensive realist
posits that states, driven by the pursuit of power and security in an anarchic international system, are inherently aggressive and strive for regional or global dominance
Russia Statistics
- largest nuclear stockpile in the world
- VETOed resolutions of UNSC towards use of chemical weapons in Syria in 2017
- New START treaty requirements: No more than 1550 strategic nuclear warheads and a maximum of 700 long range missiles
Russia Quotes
- “Whoever tries to hinder us, or threaten our country or our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to consequences that you have never faced in your history” - Vladimir Putin
- “Given the growing geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new external threats and risks, it is important to have modern and constantly ready-to-use strategic forces. [Nuclear weapon use] is the ultimate, extreme measure of ensuring security” - Putin on the necessity of nuclear testing
Pakistan and India Statistics
- 160 nuclear warheads in india
- indian engineers are also building 6 fast breeder reactors by 2033 to produce both electric power and fissile material
- 165 warheads in pakistan
- 6th largest nuclear arsenal
- it may have 5th largest arsenal by 2025 with around 200 warheads
Pakistan and India Quotes
Rajnath Singh (Indian Defense Minister) = “a day may come where india decides it needs to use nuclear weapons first to safeguard its security”
growing stockpile of fissile materials in each state present the opportunity for terrorist organisations to acquire a nuclear weapons or enough material to construct one
NPT facts and stats
190 party states
3 core pillars:
non proliferation
disarmament
peaceful use of nuclear energy
key provisions article 1 and 2 full thing: each nuclear and non nuclear weapons state party should undertake not to receive or to transfer any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly, or indirectly.
North Korea
- left the NPT in 2003
- Most recent nuclear test in 2017 - Suspected hydrogen bomb with estimate explosive yield of 140-250 kilotons
UNSC (UN)
- UN Security Council’s role in enforcing the NPT embodies the cosmopolitan notion of shared responsibility for global security
- UNSC passed resolution 2254 in 2015 condemning the use of syria’s chemical weapons and sanctioning north korea in 2017 after their nuclear testing in resolution 2379
ISIS (ISLAMIC STATE)
- to create a new islamic caliphate
- rebellion against al assad regime
Syrian Civil War = started in 2011
3000 nationals from the western nations migrated to support ISIS after messaging was made available on social media
internet makes it easier for these weapons to be made and facilitated, for example military sites in iraq and syria found by ISIS that potentially contained hidden or abandoned chemical munitions
CWC (OPCW)
194 party states have signed
aims to eliminate chemical weapons
prohibits development, ownership
general obligation include each party state under no circumstances undertake the use of chemical weapons
Syria Stats
336 confirmed instances of chemical attacks between 2013-2019 through Syrian Civi War
2016, UNSC wanted to impose sanctions, but VETOED by russia
Syria consistently obstructed OPCW investigations into its chemical weapons program. The Assad regime, which was in power during this period, repeatedly denied using chemical weapons and failed to cooperate fully with the OPCW (2021-2024)
IAEA
The IAEA utilizes satellite imagery to enhance its safeguards capabilities by monitoring nuclear activities, identifying undeclared facilities, and supporting inspections, facility visits, and complementary access under the Additional Protocol.
