Cold War & History
The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on these two Japanese cities in 1945, marking the dawn of the nuclear age.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
While they don't own nuclear weapons themselves, this North American country is a member of NATO and actively supports global nuclear disarmament.
Canada
Created in 1968, this major treaty's main goal is to completely stop the spread of nuclear weapons to new countries.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
The terrifying climate phenomenon that could result from a nuclear conflict, blocking out the sun and destroying ecosystems.
A "nuclear winter"
The primary political and military argument for keeping nuclear weapons, based on the idea that they prevent wars by threatening mutual destruction.
Deterrence
This 1962 event between the US and the USSR is widely considered the closest the world ever came to a full-scale nuclear war.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
This Asian nation is currently causing global concern due to its continuous missile testing.
North Korea
This United Nations treaty aims for a total, blanket ban on nuclear weapons, though some nuclear-armed states have refused to sign it.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
The specific long-term health effect and disease commonly caused by radiation contaminating land and water.
Cancer
A major safety argument against nuclear weapons, highlighting that a global catastrophe could happen completely by mistake.
The risk of accidental launches
In 1949, this superpower successfully developed its very first atomic bomb, officially kicking off the Cold War arms race.
The Soviet Union (USSR)
Alongside France and the United Kingdom, these two global powers are explicitly listed as owning nuclear weapons.
The United States and Russia
This specific bilateral agreement between the USA and Russia successfully reduced their weapon counts and lowered Cold War tensions.
The START Treaty
The psychological toll that the constant threat of nuclear war takes on everyday citizens during global conflicts.
Fear, mental stress, and anxiety
A severe modern security concern regarding non-state actors getting their hands on weapons of mass destruction.
Nuclear terrorism
The primary drivers behind the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Fear, power, and national security
The only country on the provided list of nuclear nations that is merely "suspected" of owning nuclear weapons rather than openly declaring them.
Israel
Apart from stopping the spread of weapons, the NPT actively encourages this peaceful application of nuclear technology.
Nuclear energy
Critics argue that the billions spent on maintaining nuclear weapons could be much better used on these two public sectors.
Healthcare and education
Countries often argue that possessing a strong military power and nuclear arsenal makes them feel this way.
Safer / Protected national security
Instead of reducing their stockpiles, this is the action many nuclear-armed countries are taking today regarding their arsenals.
Upgrading and modernizing their weapons
Aside from China and North Korea, these two neighboring South Asian countries are both explicitly listed as possessing nuclear weapons.
India and Pakistan
Despite various global treaties, these two specific entities are currently locked in modern nuclear tensions reminiscent of the Cold War.
Russia and NATO
The societal reaction that manifested as citizens pushing back against the government via peace movements and public demonstrations.
Anti-nuclear protests
The fundamental moral argument against nuclear weapons regarding the long-term survival of humanity.
They threaten future generations and human survival