Launch of Major new Report: Stepping Back from the Brink?

Posted: 25th November 2025

Stepping Back from the Brink – The Myth of Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Limited Nuclear War

Conclusion

This paper’s examination of the concepts of

tactical nuclear weapons and limited nuclear war

finds them both to be largely based on myths.

This is firstly because any use of nuclear weapons

would have far-reaching consequences. Even the

use of nuclear weapons in relatively small numbers

or involving lower yields would have severe

impacts. The unpredictable results of nuclear use,

and the risks of escalation, thus necessitate

nuclear decision-making to be handled with the

utmost caution and care.

It is imperative that action on nuclear threat

reduction, arms control, non-proliferation and

disarmament is revived. This should include

finding ways to remove TNWs from deployment

and eliminate them from possessor state’s

stockpiles, in addition to firmly rejecting the notion

that nuclear warfighting can be reliably controlled

and restricted.

2026 is set to be a key year for the future of

nuclear arms control and disarmament, not to

mention the future of global peace and security.

Whilst the political outlook appears unpromising,

there remain opportunities for the major powers to

step back from the brink of nuclear war and find

common ground. The UK can play an important

role by bolstering international agreements that

restrain nuclear proliferation and use. Continuing

down the path of unending militarisation, nuclear

rearmament and conflict can only end in

catastrophe. Diplomatic and political solutions to

the world’s problems are still within reach and must

be grasped.