The carrot and the stick: International community must take action to combat nuclear proliferation

When, on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world was permanently persuaded that weapons of mass destruction should never be used again.

Despite reservations about using nuclear weapons, not much has been done to neutralize the danger. With the increase in accessibility to nuclear weapons, the possibility of nuclear war is steadily increasing.

North Korea: Problem or not?

North Korea has been a major source of concern because it is thought to possess nuclear weapons and has an unstable communist dictatorship government with antagonistic leaders that rule by oppressing citizens. These leaders are not afraid to make threats and potentially follow through with them.

They first tested nuclear weapons in 2006, despite the Agreed Framework Treaty, which they had signed, stating that they would not support any nuclear weapons activities.

In order to prevent a war between South and North Korea, which are highly antagonistic to each other, other countries should provide incentives for North Korea to discontinue its nuclear program.

For example, the U.S. and North Korea recently signed a treaty stating that in exchange for food aid from the U.S., they would discontinue their nuclear program.

Nevertheless, the North Korean government has said it will only honor its end of the bargain if it continues to be in its self-interest to do so.

In order to ensure that North Korea will follow through with its agreements, other countries should also adopt similar treaties, pressuring the leadership into re-evaluating its nuclear program, for fear of losing the very necessary foreign humanitarian aid.

Blockading Iran

Aside from North Korea, the other country most likely to start a nuclear war is Iran.

Although Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons, many other countries, such as the United States and Israel, believe that Iran has been secretly developing nuclear warheads.

Because of the political instability in Iran, the U.S. considers it unacceptable for Iran to even touch upon nuclear technology.

If nuclear weaponry were to fall in the hands of a terrorist group or be used by the government in cultural conflicts, international nuclear war could become a reality.

To prevent further development of nuclear technology, the U.S. and several European countries have already attempted to cut off Iran from the international financial system and weakened its oil and petroleum industries.

However, if discussions do not suffice for an agreement to be reached, a more drastic measure must take place.

The U.S. should head an international attempt to boycott oil and gas from Iran.

Since oil and natural gas exports make up most of Iran’s economy, the sudden discontinuation of its main source of income would send a clear message.

The consequences of nuclear war could mean the obliteration of billions of people, economic strife for those who remain, a devastated landscape and a destroyed political system.

These are the dangers that face the rising generation. Despite measures taken to avoid nuclear war, such as the treaty with North Korea, this issue needs to remain a priority for leaders of all responsible governments.