UNIT 4 AOS 1 AC ETHICAL DEBATE

Question 1

Differing approaches regarding non-state proliferation

Answer 1

Iran’s support of NSAs in middle east (2015-2013):
Details:
- Iran has been involved in supporting various non-state actors in the Middle East, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen. This support has included the provision of weapons, training, and funding. In 2022, reports emerged that Iran was providing advanced weaponry and drone technology like the Shahed-136 to the Houthis in Yemen, contributing to ongoing conflict in the region.
- Also, it was reported that Iran provided Hezbollah with an annual finance support of around 700 million to 1 billion
- Iran’s support for these non-state actors is driven by strategic interests, aiming to extend its influence in the region and to challenge the influence of the U.S. and its allies in the region, displaying the states realist perspective
Approach:

• Realist Perspective: Iran’s support for these non-state actors is driven by strategic interests, aiming to extend its influence in the region and counterbalance U.S. and allied influence.
• Cosmopolitan Perspective: International actors, particularly Western nations and regional neighbours, view Iran’s actions as destabilizing and a violation of international norms concerning arms proliferation and support for militant groups. The Yemen conflict, exacerbated by arms proliferation from Iran, has resulted in over 230,000 deaths and displaced over 4 million people, underscoring the severe humanitarian consequences of such actions
• “The ongoing supply of weapons to parties in the Yemen conflict, including by Iran to the Houthis, has fuelled grave violations of international law, including war crimes. It is imperative that all states adhere to international arms control agreements.” – Amnesty International

Question 2

Arms control vs disarmament

Answer 2

The NEW start treaty between USA and Russia (2010-) (realist):
Details:
- The United States is a prominent example of a state that believes in arms control. It actively engages in negotiating and implementing arms control agreements such as the New START Treaty with Russia, which limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems. In 2021 the Putin government and the Biden government agreed to extend the treaty for another 5 years. This U.S. approach aims to manage and reduce the risks associated with nuclear weapons and other arms while maintaining a balance of power and national security

New Zealand’s support for the Treaty of Prohibition of nuclear weapons (2017) (cosmopolitan)
Details:
- An example of the disarmament perspective from a global actor is New Zealand’s support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons (TPNW). New Zealand has been a vocal advocate for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the TPNW when it was adopted in 2017. The TPNW aims to achieve total nuclear disarmament by legally prohibiting the development, testing, production, acquisition, possession, and use of nuclear weapons. New Zealand’s support for this treaty reflects a commitment to the disarmament perspective, which seeks to eliminate all nuclear weapons to create a safer, nuclear-free world