Category Archives: DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

US: We’re winning the fight for diplomacy

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

A communication from Jo, Alejandro, Victoria, Matt, and the rest of the team at Moveon.Org

Republican leaders are admitting that they’re losing the fight over the diplomatic deal with Iran. Despite tens of millions spent by war hawks to sabotage the agreement, more and more Democrats are choosing diplomacy over war.

iran

They have the money. We have the people and the momentum.

We saw that yesterday, as thousands of MoveOn members and anti-war allies gathered outside more than 200 congressional offices and delivered petitions signed by hundreds of thousands of Americans. Members came together from MoveOn, Americans United for Change, Council for a Livable World, CREDO Action, DailyKos, Democracy for America, Friends Committee on National Legislation, National Iranian American Council, Peace Action, Win Without War, and more.

And this grassroots activism is leading to results: In the past 24 hours, Representatives Susan Davis, Bonnie Coleman Watson, and Ed Perlmutter have all come out for the deal. Representative Alan Lowenthal announced his decision to support the deal just in advance of the petition delivery, and he came out to announce it to MoveOn members in person.

We’re building something together, and the result—a diplomatic resolution to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon—will be historic.

Click here to see more images from yesterday’s national day of action

The fight isn’t over. When members of Congress return to Washington in just over a week, they’ll be deluged with propaganda by the war hawks who want to sabotage this deal.

We’ll keep up the pressure—and keep building the momentum for peace. We have just a few weeks to stop a war, but we know that we can do it together.

Thanks for all you do.

Question for this article:
DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, North America

Peace Agreement in South Sudan

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Tiffany Easthom, Country Director in South Sudan, Nonviolent Peaceforce

“This week [August 28], the final signature was placed onto the South Sudan peace agreement.  In doing so, all parties to the conflict have indicated their intentions to end the violent conflict that has rocked South Sudan for the past 21 months.  While the signing of the agreement is not a guarantee of peace, it is a public declaration of constructive, peaceful and positive intentions to end the war.

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 Having been on the front line of the conflict since the first day, the Nonviolent Peaceforce team is greatly relieved at the signing of the agreement and we want to extend our appreciation and support to the parties as they move into this new phase. We look forward to seeing strong, people centred leadership and action to move into the implementation of this agreement starting with an urgent and immediate cessation of hostilities.  Getting to peace is as complicated if not more so than getting to war.  The road ahead will be a long one that will take the dedication of all South Sudanese and the support of the international community to engage in reconciliation, justice and reconstruction.

 The people of South Sudan deserve real peace and the opportunity to build the country that was so long struggled for. The Nonviolent Peaceforce team is committed to supporting our South Sudanese brothers and sisters in working for peace.”

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

Question for this article:
Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

India: No More Hiroshima: No More Nagasaki: Peace Museum  

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Dr. Balkrishna  Kurvey, Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection

On the eve of Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atomic bombing, Hiroshima Day was observed in the Raman Science Center, Nagpur. on 6th August 2015.  This is renowned Science Center of Government of India, Ministry of Culture. The theme was ” Environmental Impact of  Atomic Bomb Explosion”

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Selected High school Students from Nagpur were invited.
To catch them young, we are targeting youngsters who will be future citizens of the country to inculcate the idea of a Nuclear Weapon Free World.

Photographic exhibition  of Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombing was also displayed for the public from 6th to 9th August 2015 in the Raman Science Center.

Hiroshima Day was also arranged in Department of Environmental Science, Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya (College), Chandrapur, India. This  prestigious teaching Institute of Central India  has more than 7200 students. Students of graduate, post-graduate, Ph.D. and some medical students attended the seminar. The theme was “Nuclear Weapons Disarmament and Environmental Protection  and Peace”  

I based my address on the study carried out by International Physicians for for Prevention of Nuclear war & Physicians For Social responsibility “Two Billion People  at Risk”, December 2013. 

In a  limited regional nuclear war between  India and Pakistan, if 150 Hiroshima type Bombs were used, what will be environmental consequences in Asia  in particular and world in General was the theme of the talk.

Unfortunately, there is mistrust, misunderstanding and animosity between India and Pakistan. Any fanatic military officer or political leader could start a nuclear war. Also due to misunderstanding or zealous military officials, nuclear war could be startes. 20 million people would be killed. Great cities of the sub-continent would be destroyed and much of South Asia would be blanketed with radioactive fallout. Climate experts show clearly that even this limited nuclear conflict would affect weather pattern throughout the world. Due to soot and debris injected in the atmosphere 74% of the sun light would be obstructed. Nuclear Winter would emerge. Ozone depletion would increase the incidence of cancer globally. Due to cold and darkness, crops could not be grown and because of non-availability of food grains,  1 billion people in global south would die of starvation and 1 billion others would suffer. Agriculture would be affected in the western hemisphere.

This would be the result of only a limited regional Nuclear War in South Asia. If the superpowers engage in nuclear war, it would be doomsday. Planet earth will suffer untold consequences and the human race would face extinction.

Public education and awareness is the key as there is no medicine. Prevention is the only way to safeguard the  human race.

Participants  and teachers asked many question, which were aptly answered.

Question for this article:
DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, South Asia

ICRC re Arms Trade Treaty: We must stop irresponsible arms trade or transfers

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

A declaration by the International Committee of the Red Cross

First Conference of the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, Cancun, Mexico, 24-27 August 2015. Statement delivered by Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, as a video address at the Conference.

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ICRC Video

I am honored to be addressing you today on this historic occasion of the First Conference of the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a treaty that promises to reduce the tremendous human suffering caused by the widespread and poorly regulated availability of conventional weapons.

The ATT establishes a global norm for responsible arms transfers. By requiring States Parties to consider respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law in their arms transfer decisions and to take measures to prevent the diversion of weapons, this Treaty will help to ensure that arms do not end up in the hands of those who would use them to commit war crimes, serious violations of human rights and other serious crimes.

In adopting the ATT, States have recognized that arms and ammunition can no longer be regarded as just another form of commercial goods. They have recognized that arms transfers require particular caution because of the devastating and irreparable harm that is caused when weapons fall into the wrong hands. And they have explicitly recognized that cooperation, transparency and information sharing underpin the responsible arms trade, and are critical to building confidence among States and therefore to the Treaty’s effectiveness.

The ATT’s aim to increase responsibility and transparency in the international trade in conventional arms will depend not only on the implementation of the Treaty’s requirements by States Parties, but also on the openness and transparency of the forums set up under the Treaty to review its implementation and operation, notably of the Conference of the States Parties. A strong level of transparency, notably in the initial and annual reports required under the Treaty, and in the review of the operation of the Treaty by the Conference of the States Parties will facilitate cooperation and build the confidence necessary for the Treaty’s success. The ICRC urges States Parties to keep this in mind in the decisions that they will take this week, notably on the rules of procedure and on the reporting mechanism.

(Article continued on the right column)

(Click here for a version of this article in French or here for a version in Spanish.)

Question for this article:

Do you think handguns should be banned?, Why or why not?

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The significance of the ATT, and the milestone that this First Conference of the States Parties represents, cannot be overstated. If we have reached this point today, it is thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly over the last decade and a half to make this Treaty a reality: the States that drove the process leading to the ATT’s adoption; the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which each drew attention to the high human costs of poorly controlled arms transfers; and, of course, the non-governmental organizations which first called for an arms trade treaty some fifteen years ago. In this respect, the crucial role played by the “Control Arms” coalition of NGOs in bringing about the ATT, and the invaluable expertise and assistance that they are now providing to universalization and implementation efforts, must be recognized.

The concerted efforts of States, international organizations, NGOs and the ICRC must be sustained and hopefully increased in the Treaty’s implementation phase, of which this First Conference of the States Parties is the starting point. Our work has only just begun. Not only must we strive to achieve the broadest possible adherence to the Treaty, notably by States involved in the arms trade, but also crucially we must ensure that the Treaty’s core obligations are faithfully implemented, notably through the establishment of robust national control systems.

In this regard, I remain concerned about the gap that subsists between the duty to ensure respect for international humanitarian law in arms transfers, and the actual transfer practices of too many States. The ICRC is directly confronted with this gap, in many countries where we witness the appalling consequences for civilians of the widespread availability and misuse of weapons, which facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, endanger vital medical and humanitarian assistance, provoke displacement and prolong armed conflicts. As weapons continue to flow, either through overt or covert transfers or through diversion, to some of the most brutal armed conflicts such as those seen in parts of the Middle East and of Africa today, there is an urgent need to close the gap between law and practice.

The true measure of success of the ATT is the extent to which this gap will be filled and the Treaty changes people’s lives in the years to come. If States were to join the Treaty but continue to transfer arms to belligerents with a record of committing war crimes or serious violations of human rights, this would severely undermine the ATT’s humanitarian purpose and its credibility.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global

Japanese expressing a clear and strong disapproval – No to their future with wars

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article from Pressenza New York (reprinted according to Creative Commons Attribution)

Many witnessed a rare historical event last weekend in Japan. Hundreds and thousands of the same posters were ubiquitous nationwide. The posters read, “We say NO to Abe,” a strong disapproval directed towards the prime minister Abe and his government after the lower house of parliament passed the controversial security bills earlier in the week, without securing the public support, and potentially changing the Japan’s ability to go in wars in the future.

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(Image by Tokyo Bureau of Pressenza)

It was a nationwide protest orchestrated by a non-fiction writer, Ms. Hisae Sawachi. The striking calligraphy on the poster was done by a haiku poet, Mr. Tota Kaneko who is 95 years old and a former Imperial Japanese Navy officer. It went viral when Ms. Sawachi made an announcement on her website asking the public to display the poster simultaneously and ambiguously on Saturday, July 18 at 1PM, calling for the nationwide public demonstration. Her statement read, “If you are not sure about being in a public rally, then you can display the poster in front of your house and on windows.” She asked for demonstrations in train stations, schools, and any public places in Tokyo and elsewhere. Her statement ended with, “Expressing one’s opinion may require a courage to do so, and our courage to “say NO (to the Abe government) ” is being challenged right now. It is our duty and our right to stop this political violence.”

Known for its virtue of not expressing one’s opinions or not becoming a nail that sticks out, the Japanese tend to shy away from public demonstrations. But this campaign brought uniquely remarkable outcomes because it allowed anyone, regardless of one’s location or viewpoint towards organized rallies, to participate. Anyone could print the poster and display it wherever they wished, and it allowed people to express their grave feelings towards the government while providing the safe environment where people could experience the solidarity. It was reported 29 prefectures and over 110 cities and towns responded to this campaign, and the poster went up over in 1000 sites nationwide. A plethora of responses with pictures of people holding the poster at home, in their cars, in stores, in public and in private places were sent to Ms. Sawachi’s site. In Tokyo, over 5000 demonstrators gathered and stood alongside Ms. Sawachi, with other public figures such as Mr. Shuntaro Kawagoe, a famous journalist, and Ms. Keiko Ochiai, an acclaimed political writer, and other critics of Abe administration in front of the parliament house. At 1PM, the crowd raised the posters towards the direction of the parliament house in sync, making their opinion clear, “We say NO to Abe.”

Ms. Sawachi spoke to the crowd, “The poster represents all our thoughts and feelings that we are outraged, and we will not tolerate what is happening. I’m sure there are current members of parliament who share the same sentiment. Let us all continue in this endeavor, each of us making wise decisions and choosing our own path.”

Question related to this article:

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia

The Elders welcome Iranian nuclear agreement as boost to Middle East peace

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

A press release by The Elders

14 July 2015: The Elders warmly congratulate all the parties to the nuclear talks on the successful conclusion of these marathon negotiations.

The delegations and their political leaders have shown determination and tenacity to overcome the many obstacles in their path and arrive at an agreement which, if implemented in full and in good faith, could lead to a significant improvement in regional stability and security.

elders

Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said:

“The people and the countries of the world can be grateful for the courage, commitment and persistence shown by the negotiators and their governments, and for the hope that this agreement has brought.”

“It is vital that tangible and early progress is now made on implementation, in particular on watertight verification mechanisms and the lifting of sanctions on Iran.”

The Elders call on all those who continue to resist or work against this ground-breaking agreement to put aside ideological preconceptions, historical grievances and narrow political interests, and see it as a chance to further the wider aims of peace.

The Elders urge the parties to the agreement and other regional powers to seize this opportunity to build on the goodwill and progress achieved to help tackle the religious extremism and deep sectarian divisions, which are creating enormous human suffering and massive devastation throughout the Middle East.

Question related to this article:

How can a culture of peace be established in the Middle East?

Readers’ comments are invited on this article and question. See comments box below.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast

United Cypriot economy to focus on shipping, tourism, education

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article from Daily Sabah

The economic vision after a solution to the Cyprus issue was officially announced as part of the ongoing comprehensive negotiations between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Greek Cyprus, and focuses on tourism, shipping and education. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE) held a joint event themed with their vision of the Cyprus economy after a solution. Representatives from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and Athens Chamber of Commerce attended the event as well. After the opening speeches, Turkish Cyprus President Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades shared their visions about the Cyprus economy after a possible solution between two sides is reached.

cyprus
Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades (L) and Turkish Cypriot President Akıncı (R) shake hands at a meeting attended by representatives of the respective chambers of commerce.

Akıncı said in his speech that the Cyprus economy can provide for the welfare of its citizens, but this requires creating an economy that is resistant against crises and shocks, competitive and capable of being directed to different fields. “My vision of the Cyprus economy after a solution takes the welfare and prosperity of all Cypriots into account without looking at ethnic origin or background,” Akıncı emphasized.

Akıncı also touched on the economic benefits of the solution between the two sides. He stressed that Cyprus will have the potential to become a shipping center in the eastern Mediterranean and all Cypriot ships will be able to enter Turkish harbors after a solution is reached. He highlighted that a solution would provide endless opportunities for the tourism sector, which is a driving power of both economies on the island and they should devise a joint strategy of cooperation in this field.

One of the first steps to be taken in Cyprus is to establish a Federal Competition Board just like the one that exists in many European countries, Akıncı said. He added that they should invest in education at first to help foster a culture of peace and raise a new generation of children who can speak both Turkish and Greek as their mother tongues. Akıncı said that they were working to create a federation of two societies and two regions described in a joint declaration made on Feb. 11, 2014. “We have to transform our country and we need to do this with no delay. We have to cooperate to transform from the current situation to a Cyprus we want, but we have to work hard. We owe this to the younger generations,” Akıncı concluded.

Greek leader Nicos Anastasiades said the common future of the two societies is based on a united Cyprus as a EU member, which respects democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Anastasiades reiterated from the joint declaration that “the status quo is unacceptable and its prolongation will have negative consequences for the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.” He also mentioned the positive impacts of a settlement. “My vision is to reach a settlement that will end the anachronism related to the current situation and provide hope and the prospect of a better future for all Cypriots, in particular for the younger generations,” noted the Greek leader.

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Question related to this article:
 
Can Cyprus be reunited in peace?

(Article continued from left column.)

He said that a settlement would secure the full utilization of the great potential and prospect for economic growth, development and prosperity for all Cypriots. He also stated that a settlement between the two sides would provide a significant improvement to the investment climate and increase the attraction of large foreign investments and multinational companies. Stressing that it will be easier to access international finance and reach out to markets presently unexploited across the world, Anastasiades said the economic sectors that are now experiencing problems would be stimulated and this would have positive results on other sectors.

“We have committed ourselves to doing our utmost so this opportunity is not lost. We owe it to our children and the future generations of this country. We owe it to the people of Cyprus and their longing to live in a modern and thriving European country. And to this effort, the business community, as well as civil society, has an important role to play, and we call for your support and positive contribution towards this end,” Anastasiades concluded.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Europe

Gaza prepares to welcome Freedom Flotilla III

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article by the Middle East Monitor

Preparations are being made in Gaza coinciding with the countdown for the launch of the latest Freedom Flotilla. There are dozens of European activists, Arab figures and journalists aboard the five ships that make up the flotilla. According to the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), the ships have come from ports across Europe.

flotilla
Photo by Mohammed Asad.

The Government Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza lit a torch to mark the sailing of Freedom Flotilla III, which is scheduled to reach Gaza port on Friday [June 26].

Alaa Al-Batta, head of the committee, told a press conference in the port on Tuesday that the final countdown has started and the flotilla is ready to set sail for Gaza, which has been besieged by Israel for nine years. “The Freedom Flotilla is only a few hours away from the Gaza seaport,” he said. “All Palestinians, across the spectrum, are standing here today to welcome and support the flotilla.” People from all over the world of all religions and ethnicities have gathered in solidarity out of their love for Palestine in an effort to lift the unjust siege, added Al-Batta.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition delivered a message to UN Representative Alexey Maslov for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, calling for international protection for the flotilla so that it is not intercepted on its way to Gaza. “We sent a letter to the UN informing them that this is a humanitarian flotilla carrying foreign supporters and activists and that it will sail towards Gaza in the next few hours,” confirmed Al-Batta. “We also said that the UN must carry out its duties towards the flotilla in order to provide it with protection in light of the threats from the Israeli leadership.” The UN representative welcomed the letter and promised to deliver it to Mr Ban.

According to Rami Abdo, an ECESG member, the message included a warning against an Israeli interception of the flotilla, which he stressed would lead to the deterioration of the situation and result in a number of consequences.

Abdo insisted that legal and human rights laws and conventions give the Freedom Flotilla the absolute right to reach Gaza. He called on the United Nations not to remain content with their statements; they should, he said, turn their words into deeds to ensure the safe arrival of the flotilla.

He attributed the delay in setting sail to the bad weather. The ships are all prepared and will wait for good weather in order to ensure the safety of all 80 participants on board.

The Palestinians in Gaza are making preparations to welcome the flotilla. Practice marches by naval personnel have been held and Gaza’s boat-owners are getting ready to go to sea to meet the flotilla and accompany the vessels into port.

Question related to this article:

Presenting the Palestinian side of the Middle East, Is it important for a culture of peace?

Readers’ comments are invited on this article and question. See comments section below.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast

Sanctions against Israel: Round up from 2014

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article by the BDS Movement (excerpts – one per month)

Here’s our round up of some of the key BDS developments of 2014. The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), the coalition of Palestinian civil society organisations that works to lead and support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, warmly thanks each and every person who supported and contributed to the BDS movement this year. . .

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On August 9, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets as part of an international Day of Rage initiated by groups in Gaza. Anti-apartheid hero Desmond Tutu called the day one of the biggest ever international mobilisations on a single issue. Photo from Getty images.

January:

In a move that laid the foundation for other European funds to follow suit later in the year, Dutch pension fund PGGM announced it was divesting tens of millions of euros from 5 of Israel’s biggest banks due to their deep involvement in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. The fund manages the pensions of 2.5 million people. . .

February

Luxembourg’s state pension fund FDC excludes nine major Israeli banks and firms and one US company because of their involvement in Israeli settlements and human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, Denmark’s largest bank Dankse Bank blacklists Israel’s Bank Hapoalim over settlement construction. . .

March

. . . Victory in Galway as Irish students’ Union votes to join BDS movement
The motion at the National University of Ireland in Galway was passed by an almost 2 to 1 margin and follows on from the Teachers Union of Ireland’s 2013 endorsement of an academic boycott of Israel. . .

April

. . . Students at the University of New Mexico, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and University of California Riverside vote to support divestment from companies that help Israel violate international law. Meanwhile, the largest student petition in Florida’s history calls for divestment.

May

The Bill Gates Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the world, divests from G4S. A petition signed by more than 14,000 people and demonstrations outside Gates Foundation offices in London, Johannesburg and Seattle called on the the Gates Foundation to divest from G4S because of its role in providing equipment and services to prisons where Israel holds and tortures Palestinian political prisoners. . . .

June

Years of grassroots organising pays off as the Presbyterian Church (USA) general assembly in Detroit votes to divest its holdings from three US corporations – Hewlett Packard (HP), Motorola Solutions and Caterpillar – on the basis of their well-documented record of complicity in the oppression and denial of human rights of Palestinians.

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Question related to this article:

Presenting the Palestinian side of the Middle East, Is it important for a culture of peace?

Israel/Palestine, is the situation like South Africa?

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July

As Israel began its massacre of Palestinians in Gaza, governments and people of conscience across the world take action to pressure Israel to comply with international law and human rights. Key developments includes:

The Chilean parliament votes to suspend negotiations on a new trade deal with Israel, and Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and Peru withdraw their ambassadors.

A call for a military embargo on Israel launched by 6 Nobel laureates and dozens of celebrities is signed by more than 60,000 people. . .

Dublin city council passes a resolution calling for a military embargo and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

In Turkey, at least 12 local municipalities, a number of major business associations and a major trade union issue calls for a boycott of Israeli products . . .

August

Thousands of supporters of Palestinian rights in the San Francisco Bay take part in pickets and demonstrations that have prevented an Israeli ship from docking at the port in Oakland for four consecutive days. By the end of August, the unloading of Israeli ships has been prevented or disrupted at ports in Oakland, Tacoma, Seattle and Long Beach. . .

September

.. . French multinational Veolia, which has lost billions of dollars of contracts as a result of campaigns over its construction of infrastructure for illegal Israeli settlements, intends to “step back from Israel as a market place” and sell most parts of its Israeli interests during 2015.

October

SodaStream announces it is to close its factory in the illegal Israeli settlement of Mishor Adumim following a high profile boycott campaign against the company that saw retailers and investors across the world cut links with the company. . .

November

. . . The University of California at Los Angeles becomes the sixth of nine undergraduate campuses in the UC system to call for divestment, while the biggest ever student referendum at the University of Exeter calls for the student union to join the BDS movement. . .

December

The Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul cancels a major collaboration deal with Israeli military company Elbit Systems in the wake of protests over the firm’s role in oppression of Palestinians.

– See more at: http://www.bdsmovement.net/2014/round-up-13017#sthash.0bcXOTfS.dpuf

(Thank you to Mazin Qumsiyeh for pointing out this article to us.

Editor’s note. Since publishing this article, we have found comments both pro and con this controversial issue. For a comment against BDS, see https://www.transcend.org/tms/2015/06/bds-the-new-enemy.

And for a comment for BDS, see http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/6/is-bds-the-only-pro-israel-option-left.html

Finally, it should be noted that the boycott is effective. According to a UN report, foreign investment in Israel fell by 50% last year.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast

US Kills Nuclear-Free Mideast Conference, Citing Israel

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

an article by Jason Ditz, Anti-War

Four weeks of UN efforts to get together a conference on a nuclear weapons ban in the Middle East ended in failure today, with the US spurning the deal on the conference, citing Israel.

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Though the US initially backed the nuclear-free Middle East effort, they later realized Israel is the only nation in the region with such arms, and has since criticized the effort as unfair.

Though US officials have been to Israel in recent days to try to get them to sign off on some vague notion of an eventual nuclear-free Middle East, there was no progress, as Israel won’t even publicly affirm their arsenal.

After failing to get Israel to okay the deal, the US angrily blamed Egypt for the whole thing, saying they’d “cynically manipulated” the process by bringing up Israel’s arsenal at all.

(Question for this article: Can we abolish all nuclear weapons? )

 

Readers’ comments are invited on this article and question. See below.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY