28 April 2026.
Analysis by Jan Hoekema, Pugwash Council membe, Chair, Pugwash Netherlands, and ELN Senior Network member
The NPT is, regrettably, in a survival mode. It is not only the non-implementation of important parts of the Treaty, notably Article VI on (nuclear) disarmament, that is weakening the NPT. There is also a growing feeling that nuclear weapons are ‘normal’ weapons that may or may not be used in the present, dangerous world.
Nuclear deterrence is in itself already a risky concept, but we now see a growing salience of nuclear weapons as an instrument of war fighting. It is my conviction that the nuclear taboo should be maintained and strengthened. A nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought, to cite former presidents Reagan and Gorbachev. This should remain our guiding principle.
The NPT is an essential cornerstone of stability and security. It should not be weakened and undermined. The number of de facto nuclear weapons states is already too high. A standalone European nuclear deterrence is not a good idea.
Let’s use the RevCon to reaffirm and bolster the NPT by having a frank and honest dialogue about the vitality of the Treaty.
The above short post was originally published on the European Leadership Network website as part of its Network reflections: 2026 NPT Review Conference
Also read Amb. Hoekema’s article “Proposals for a brighter NPT Review Conference in times of nonproliferation darkness” published by The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs 