The professor is teaching a class on international security and nuclear policy. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.
In your response, you should:
- Express and support your opinion.
- Contribute to the discussion in your own words.
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Professor:Today, we’ll discuss the risks and benefits of nuclear disarmament. Some experts argue that giving up nuclear weapons can create serious security risks for countries because nuclear deterrence may discourage foreign invasion or military pressure. They often point to Ukraine, which inherited nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union but later agreed to give them up. Some people believe that if Ukraine had retained nuclear weapons, the large-scale war that began in 2022 might have been less likely to occur. Others argue that allowing more countries to keep nuclear weapons would increase global instability and make nuclear conflict more dangerous overall. What do you think? Does denuclearization create greater security risks for countries? Why or why not?
Sophia:I believe denuclearization can create serious security risks. Nuclear weapons act as a deterrent because other countries are less likely to attack a nation capable of causing massive retaliation. The example of Ukraine suggests that security guarantees from other countries may not always be enough to prevent conflict. For this reason, some governments may feel safer maintaining nuclear deterrence.
Brian:In my opinion, encouraging countries to keep nuclear weapons is extremely dangerous. While nuclear deterrence may prevent some conflicts, the spread of nuclear weapons increases the chances of accidents, miscalculations, and arms races. Long-term global security depends on reducing nuclear arsenals and strengthening international cooperation, not expanding nuclear deterrence.