No longer is the threat posed by nuclear weapons even tenuously contained by mutually agreed rules and accepted norms. The Npt requires all parties to renounce nuclear weapons and to subject their nuclear activities to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection. But four of the five exceptions — India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea — are nuclear-weapon states (the fifth is South Sudan). The first three refused to join before developing nuclear weapons; North Korea initially joined but later withdrew amid accusations that it had violated the treaty — and now openly proclaims its growing nuclear ambitions. And in Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously stated an openness to talks with France and the UK about “sharing” nuclear weapons in Europe to boost “the US shield”.

Source: Irish Examiner December 26, 2025 01:12 UTC