Regional Perspectives on a Nuclear Weapons Ban

The idea of establishing a Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction-Free-Zone (WMDFZ) in the Middle East has been regularly re-addressed at the United Nations. This article contributes to that process by exploring possible pathways to a working and sustainable treaty crafted for the region.

Using a Comparative Area Studies approach to Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia, we discuss how regional issues shape global non-proliferation and disarmament politics. Focus is on the nuclear-weapon-ban norm, recently codified in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice is calling for essays for a special issue addressing Regional Perspectives on a Nuclear Weapons Ban. In preparation for that special issue, the guest editors Dr. Leonardo Bandarra and GIGA expert Dr. Miriam Prys-Hansen invite applications for a virtual authors’ workshop on 22 May 2023.

With its 50th ratification, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is soon set to become legally binding. It is a contentious treaty, drafted by a group of 124 non-nuclear-weapon countries in 2017. The GIGA online event embraces perspectives from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and South Asia. Video of the event availiable.

The idea of establishing a Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction-Free-Zone (WMDFZ) in the Middle East has been regularly re-addressed at the United Nations. This article contributes to that process by exploring possible pathways to a working and sustainable treaty crafted for the region.