When strategic thinkers like Kissinger and statesmen like President Obama come to the conclusion that it is time to conceive of a world without nuclear weapons, the German strategic community should be in the forefront of proactive thinking and not try to stop the global zero movement in the name of realism.
Germany's security interests as a non nuclear power demand a policy designed to reduce the potential for nuclear blackmail and terrorism. There is no question that nuclear terrorism is by far the most serious threat to security of our time. It is a global concern and a global response is necessary. The Obama initiative is such an effort. Germany has to be part of this growing international consensus and, together with Japan and other non-nuclear powers, can even play a leading role in the global zero movement.
Non nuclear powers must take on more responsibility in the future in order to hold up a model of international security free of weapons of mass destruction. The NPT regime would be strengthened if non nuclear states would shoulder more responsibility including as permanent members of the UN Security Council. Nuclear disarmament efforts are the only way to provide the West with the necessary moral authority to enforce the NPT regime and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Without nuclear disarmament efforts it will be difficult to de - legitimize North Korean and Iranian ambitions to develop their own nuclear capabilities or worse, acquire their own nuclear weapons.
For Germany to rely on nuclear deterrence without disarmament efforts is a dangerous proposition under the condition of the new security environment, asymmetrical warfare and the real danger of nuclear terrorism. The Obama initiative is the logical conclusion from an increasing risk of nuclear material, including nuclear weapons, falling into the hands of non-state actors, terrorists to be precise.
In the fall of 2009 one can expect a new START agreement to be concluded between the Obama Administration and Russia. This is a crucial step to demonstrate that the two most important nuclear powers are serious about nuclear risk reduction. In 2010, Germany as a non nuclear power will participate in a conference on nuclear security that the Obama Administration plans to hold. Also in 2010, a critical NPT Review Conference will take place. Germany can take on a leading role for nuclear disarmament and enhance its international role together with other non nuclear powers. As a non nuclear country Germany should contribute as much as possible to a successful outcome of these international efforts by working together with other interested partners in developing detailed arms control proposals.
One important area is NPT compliance. The NPT regime is the cornerstone of nuclear arms control and to strengthen its norms as the standard for all international nuclear matters is crucial for the success of the NPT Review Conference 2010. Based on its substantial experience with regard to nuclear technology, Germany could also contribute to a more effective system to prevent the spread of fissile material as envisioned in the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT).
As the non-nuclear member in addition to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council which are all nuclear powers, Germany is involved in the negotiations dealing Iran's nuclear ambitions. In many ways Germany has already achieved a special status with regard to addressing the risk of nuclear proliferation. This concept of multilateral initiatives within the EU, NATO and the UN Security Council should be extended to other areas such as a comprehensive nuclear test ban (CTBT), the thorny issue of sub strategic nuclear weapons, particularly in Europe, and missile defense.
There is not much to gain for Germany from undermining the Obama initiative by questioning its motivations and rejecting it for lack of realism. Of course, conventional weapons will have to be dealt with, too, in arms control negotiations. The best way to achieve this objective is to help prepare the ground for nuclear disarmament.
Dieter Dettke is currently Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, teaching at Georgetown University’s Security Studies. Prior to that, Mr Dettke served as the US Representative and Executive Director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Washington, DC.
Related Materials from Atlantic-Community:
- Global Zero: Barry M. Blechman: Eliminating Nuclear Weapons: Yes, We Can
- Global Zero: Charles D. Ferguson: Cold War Lessons for Today's Nuclear Disarmament Debate
- Global Zero: Hall Gardner:Precondition for Abolition: Five Factors for Consensus Building
- Global Zero: Kenneth N. Luongo: Controlling Loose Nukes
- Global Zero: Subrata Ghoshroy: Focus on Intermediat Steps
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