General Nuke Knowledge
What are nuclear weapons?
What does NATO stand for?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
What is mutually-assured destruction?
When states are deterred by the threat of mutual destruction and as such don't risk war.
Is the TPNW good?
Russian Aggression
The CON argument that the AFF incentivizes Russia to invade or be more aggressive towards European NATO members, causes war or worse.
When have nuclear weapons been used in warfare?
What is NATO Article 4
What are status quo states?
States that seek to preserve the balance of power present at the world (i.e. Russia actually REACTS to Western expansion and uses its power to preserve the status quo)
How many countries have ratified the TPNW?
75 States, none are Western Nations.
Stigmatization
The PRO argument that a decrease in Western nuclear weapons stigmatizes the creation of nuclear weapons and decreases proliferation.
United States, UK, France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Israel, North Korea
When was the most recent moment when NATO Article 5 was activated?
In March of 2024, when a Russian missile struck a Polish village during a miscalculation during the Ukraine War
What is revanchism/irredentism?
A foreign policy of nations that states that a nation has a right or desire to reclaim its lost territories (i.e. Russia and the USSR)
What Article of the TPNW prohibits the harboring and development of nuclear weapons?
Article 1
Arctic
The CON argument that undermining European regional sovereignty and power prevents them from projecting influence in the Arctic. Undermines climate initiatives and whatnot.
What are alternative WMDs to nuclear weapons?
Chemical weapons, Biological Weapons, Lethal Autonomous Weapons, AGI/ASI
When did NATO Article 4 activate?
Shortly after the 9/11 Attacks when the U.S. was attacked by Al-Qaeda, activating Article 4
What are revisionist states?
States that seek to undermine the status quo or revise it to their will (i.e. Russia seeking to undermine American heg and increase its power)
What does the TPNW stand for?
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
Costs
What is the largest bomb ever detonated?
Tsar Bomba :P
What is the New-York-For-Paris Dilemma?
The question on whether or not nuclear powers would really risk the destruction of their domestic territories and peoples in support of allies.
What is stigmatization?
The process by which nuclear disarmament discourages future nuclear weapons development; leads to decreased proliferation
What TPNW Article addresses indigenous communities?
Article 6 and 7
Alternative Pursuits
The CON argument that European NATO members will deviate towards other WMDs and as such create chemical weapons, bioweapons, AGI, etc. Very bad