Beyond Nuclear International. The Weekly Digest

Posted: 28th April 2026

THE WEEKLY DIGEST

April 27, 2026

The Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference has begun in New York City. But will the nuclear nations abide by the treaty and disarm? And what pressure will Iran face as a signatory who some believe is crossing the energy-weapons threshold?

Moving away from midnight

In his book - Nuclear Abolition. A Scenario - Timmon Wallis leads us on a journey away from the inexorable march to nuclear Armageddon as exemplified by the hands of the Doomsday Clock that have moved ever closer to midnight. Linda Pentz Gunter provides her review as advocates for worldwide nuclear abolition head to the UN in New York City to make their case. Divestment from the nuclear arms manufacturers and declaring nuclear-free zones are key first steps, Wallis argues in his book. READ MORE

Diplomacy, not war

“If nations are going to be asked (or pressured) to forgo development of nuclear weapons, it is useful to have a framework that treats nations equally,” writes Lawrence S.Wittner. The NPT provides that, and so did the Iran nuclear deal that Trump tore up in his first term. Two nuclear-armed countries (the US and Israel) bullying another into giving up its civil nuclear program through acts of aggression tends not to work well, Wittner argues. The Iran nuclear deal, in place before Trump broke it, was serving that end far more effectively than war. READ MORE