House of Cards? Nuclear Norms in an Era of Strategic Competition

While the norms against nuclear proliferation, use, and testing are widely supported and critical for stability, they are increasingly contested. The fragile interconnectedness of the norms urges global action to reinforce these pillars and prevent a destabilizing cascade.

FacebookXLinkedInEmailCopy Link

Nuclear norms face significant challenges, highlighted by Russia’s withdrawal of its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the general undermining of nuclear institutions. This report assesses the health of three key nuclear norms: nonproliferation, nonuse, and no testing, revealing that while these norms are broadly supported, they are increasingly contested. The interconnectedness of these norms means that weakening one could trigger a cascade effect, jeopardizing the others. The report identifies regional dynamics and differing responses to norm violations as key factors exacerbating this contestation. The policy recommendations include, for example, a reinforcement of the three norms through transparency and restraint by nuclear possessors and an engagement of non-nuclear states and civil society in norm enforcement and pressure on norm violators.

This report is made possible with support from the British Embassy Washington.

FacebookXLinkedInEmailCopy Link