The Guardian view on arms control: essential to prevent the total devastation of nuclear war
Posted: 28th December 2024
Over the holidays, this column will explore next year’s urgent issues. Today we look at why an unqualified belief in nuclear deterrence can’t keep us safe
Fri 27 Dec 2024 17.30 GMT
Next November marks 40 years since the US president Ronald Reagan and the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”. The statement was striking – not least because their militaries were pouring billions into preparing for an unwinnable conflict.