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Democracy Dies in Darkness

Donald Trump thinks more countries should have nuclear weapons. Here’s what the research says. By Gene Gerzhoy and Nicholas Miller

April 6, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EDT

According to Donald Trump, the United States should not try so hard to stop nuclear proliferation. On Sunday night, during a Republican town hall hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Trump declared that proliferation is “going to happen anyway.” And just a week earlier, Trump told the New York Times, “If Japan had that nuclear threat, I’m not sure that would be a bad thing for us.” Nor would it be so bad, he’s said, if South Korea and Saudi Arabia had nuclear weapons, too.

We can break down Trump’s assertions into two ideas: Proliferation is inevitable, and it is good for the United States — at least when its allies are the ones going nuclear. What can political science tell us about each of these beliefs?

It turns out that both propositions fly in the face of a wide range of recent scholarship.

Is nuclear proliferation inevitable?

Trump’s logic for this idea is based on his belief that the United States is weak and that past proliferation ensures future proliferation. Here’s what Trump told the Times about Japan: “If the United States keeps on … its current path of weakness, [Japan is] going to want to have [nuclear weapons] anyway with or without me discussing it.”

Trump also implied that South Korea and Japan would inexorably seek nuclear weapons — regardless of what the United States does — because so many countries have already gone nuclear. As he said to Anderson Cooper: “It’s only a question of time. … You have so many [nuclear] countries already.”

But as we show in a number of research articles, those assumptions don’t match the historical record. For the past 70 years, through mutually reinforcing policies — including security guarantees, troop deployments, arms sales, nuclear umbrellas and sanctions threats — U.S. administrations from both parties have inhibited nuclear proliferation.

When another country built nuclear weapons, the United States limited the repercussions by discouraging that country from conducting nuclear tests.

What about Trump’s belief that U.S. allies will inevitably seek nuclear weapons because the United States is economically and militarily weak? That doesn’t match the facts, either. The United States remains the world’s dominant military power — it spends three to four times as much on its military than China does, and it has the world’s most advanced nuclear arsenal. The United States also has a dynamic and growing economy, while its rivals’ economies are slowing or even declining.

But even when the U.S. economy was flagging, the government successfully prevented other countries from acquiring

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nuclear arms. The 1970s were a period of high inflation and low economic growth in the United States. Yet that’s when Washington launched some of its most determined and successful nonproliferation efforts, including founding the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group, a global body that restricts the spread of sensitive nuclear technology, and passing laws that imposed mandatory nonproliferation sanctions, which have successfully deterred other countries from embarking on nuclear weapons programs.

Trump’s foreign policies would make his predictions come true

Although history suggests that proliferation is not inevitable, recent research on nonproliferation suggests that Trump’s proposed foreign policy might make it so.

Trump says he would scale back or entirely end U.S. alliance commitments unless our allies made major financial concessions. In his interview with the Times, Trump said that the United States “take[s] tremendous monetary hits on protecting countries” such as Japan, South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia. He also denounced the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty as “one-sided,” said that the United States doesn’t need to maintain forces in South Korea and described the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as “obsolete.”

But if those security institutions and military deployments disappeared, U.S. allies — including Japan and South Korea — might well pursue nuclear weapons of their own. Recent research shows that alliances are a powerful tool for preventing proliferation, both because they reassure states that their security will be protected in case of attack and because they give senior partners the leverage to restrain their allies’ nuclear ambitions. Research also demonstrates that the type of U.S. troop withdrawals Trump envisions have a history of prompting allies to consider developing their own nuclear weapons.

Consider the last time the United States had a president who was skeptical about nonproliferation and who tried to reduce U.S. commitments to its allies in Asia. As part of his Guam Doctrine — a plan to increase Asian allies’ military self-reliance — President Nixon withdrew 20,000 troops from South Korea. Famously, he also traveled to China to improve Sino-American relations. As a result, South Korea launched a covert nuclear weapons program, and Taiwan ramped up its own nuclear ambitions. So why didn’t they end up with nuclear weapons? The administrations that followed Nixon’s redoubled efforts to stop them.

Research does not support the idea that the spread of nuclear weapons is inevitable. But isolationist “America First” policies could prompt that spread. Defining U.S. strategic interests primarily in terms of monetary gain, and curtailing U.S. global engagement toward that end, would boost the probability that our allies would respond by going nuclear.

Would nuclear proliferation be good for U.S. interests?

What about Trump’s second proposition: that proliferation by our allies would be good for U.S. interests? This argument is based on the idea that nuclear-armed allies could help contain U.S. adversaries and enable the United States to save money. As Trump told Cooper, “I would rather see Japan having some form of defense, and maybe even offense, against North Korea.” And as he suggested, the United States can’t afford to protect Japan and South Korea — and therefore, “they have to pay us or we have to let them protect themselves.”

Reducing military commitments and letting allies build their own nuclear weapons might save money for the United States. But international relations scholarship suggests that allied proliferation would have broader negative repercussions. Among these would be declining U.S. influence. When nations gain their own military capabilities, they rely less on their allies and become less subject to their sway. And that can undermine a senior partner’s ability to hold its junior allies back from risky military actions.

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In other words, allowing or encouraging proliferation would worsen the “American weakness” that Trump decries.

Recent nonproliferation research underscores this proposition. Mark Bell shows that nuclear allies are likely to become more independent of their patrons and in some cases can develop more assertive foreign policies. And Francis Gavin and Matthew Kroenig show that the fear of declining influence was one reason why most American administrations vigorously opposed the spread of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear allies can also become security risks. Vipin Narang demonstrates that when weaker states gain nuclear weapons, they often seek to coerce their senior partners into intervening on their behalf by threatening to use nuclear weapons. That’s what Israel did at the height of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. That’s what South Africa did during its 1988 confrontation with Cuban forces in Angola. And that’s what Pakistan did in the midst of its 1990 military crisis with India.

Instead of relieving the United States of a military burden, as Donald Trump suggests, having more nuclear allies could increase the risk that the United States would get involved in conflicts that might turn nuclear.

Furthermore, were South Korea or Japan to begin developing nuclear weapons, their rivals might be tempted to launch preventive military strikes, which research suggests has been frequently considered in the past. The road to nuclear acquisition is often rocky and increases the likelihood of militarized conflict. For example, Soviet worries that West Germany would acquire nuclear weapons helped trigger the Berlin Crisis.

And if Japan or South Korea actually acquired nuclear weapons, we could possibly see a nuclear arms race in Asia. Japan’s neighbors, including South Korea, would fear resurgent Japanese militarism. North Korea would expand its nuclear capabilities. China would continue to expand its own nuclear arsenal.

Why haven’t we seen nuclear arms races before?

Nuclear “domino effects” have not been common historically. But that’s largely because of determined U.S. efforts to stop them.

Since the dawn of the nuclear age, the United States has pursued nonproliferation as a top policy priority. That includes sponsoring and enforcing the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Research suggests the NPT has been instrumental in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons, in part by coordinating states’ beliefs about one another’s nonproliferation commitments. To develop nuclear weapons, Japan and South Korea would need to violate or withdraw from the NPT. That could prompt U.S. allies and adversaries in other regions — including Saudi Arabia, Germany and Iran — to question the treaty’s viability and consider seeking their own nuclear arsenals.

Would this be so bad? After all, no two nuclear armed states have fought a major war with each other, and nuclear weapons have not been used in conflict since the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

But the conclusion that nuclear weapons produce peace is subject to debate. It’s true that there has been no war between major powers since 1945. But that may be due to other factors. The quantitative evidence linking nuclear weapons to a reduced risk of conflict is limited at best.

Further, theoretical and historical evidence suggests that nuclear accidents and miscalculations are likely. More countries with nuclear weapons would mean more opportunities for catastrophic nuclear mistakes.

So what’s the takeaway?

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A look at history shows us that nuclear proliferation is anything but inevitable. U.S. nonproliferation efforts have been surprisingly successful, even when the United States was weaker than it is today.

Without firm U.S. opposition to the spread of nuclear weapons — a policy implemented through “carrots” like alliances and “sticks” like sanctions — the world would probably have far more than nine countries with nuclear weapons. What’s more, research suggests that nuclear proliferation would reduce U.S. world influence, undermine global stability and increase the risk of nuclear war.

Gene Gerzhoy is a congressional fellow with the American Political Science Association.

Nick Miller is an assistant professor of political science and international and public affairs at Brown University.

The Washington Post

Monkey Cage  AnalysisL

The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

winner wants to ban nuclear

weapons. Here’s why the U.S.

is opposed.

By By Rebecca Davis GibbonsRebecca Davis Gibbons   December 11, 2017December 11, 2017

On Sunday, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (On Sunday, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICANICAN) received the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. ICAN) received the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. ICAN

won the won the prizeprize “for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and “for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and

for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.” Beatrice Fihn, the executive director offor its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.” Beatrice Fihn, the executive director of

ICAN, accepted the prize along with anti-nuclear activist ICAN, accepted the prize along with anti-nuclear activist Setsuko ThurlowSetsuko Thurlow, an 85-year-old survivor of the Hiroshima atomic, an 85-year-old survivor of the Hiroshima atomic

bomb.bomb.

But the United States — along the United Kingdom and France — reportedly But the United States — along the United Kingdom and France — reportedly snubbedsnubbed the prize winners by sending  the prize winners by sending lower-lower-

ranked diplomatsranked diplomats instead of ambassadors to the ceremony. The United States and its close allies took a strong stance against the instead of ambassadors to the ceremony. The United States and its close allies took a strong stance against the

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsTreaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) that ICAN helped establish. Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on (TPNW) that ICAN helped establish. Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on

July 7, the TPNW prohibits its signatories from possessing, threatening the use of, transferring, testing or stationing nuclearJuly 7, the TPNW prohibits its signatories from possessing, threatening the use of, transferring, testing or stationing nuclear

weapons.weapons.

Why the strong opposition from the United States? U.S. officials have lobbed a variety of criticisms against the treaty, claimingWhy the strong opposition from the United States? U.S. officials have lobbed a variety of criticisms against the treaty, claiming

variously that it will have variously that it will have little effectlittle effect on disarmament, as no states possessing nuclear weapons plan to join; that it will on disarmament, as no states possessing nuclear weapons plan to join; that it will

undermineundermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and that nuclear reductions through treaties negotiated among the nuclear the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and that nuclear reductions through treaties negotiated among the nuclear

possessor states are the possessor states are the only feasibleonly feasible path toward disarmament. path toward disarmament.

But there is a more immediate, although rarely stated, concern: This new treaty could undermine the cohesion of NATO, anBut there is a more immediate, although rarely stated, concern: This new treaty could undermine the cohesion of NATO, an

explicitly explicitly nuclear alliancenuclear alliance..

The United States pressured NATO allies to oppose the treatyThe United States pressured NATO allies to oppose the treaty

In November 2016, before the U.N. General Assembly vote on a resolution to begin negotiations on a nuclear ban treaty, theIn November 2016, before the U.N. General Assembly vote on a resolution to begin negotiations on a nuclear ban treaty, the

United States sent an United States sent an informal diplomatic paperinformal diplomatic paper to its NATO allies outlining the ways in which the proposed treaty would to its NATO allies outlining the ways in which the proposed treaty would

undermine the stability of the international system, delegitimize nuclear deterrence, and complicate NATO planning andundermine the stability of the international system, delegitimize nuclear deterrence, and complicate NATO planning and

nuclear burden-sharing. It states, “We strongly encourage you to vote ‘no’ on any vote at the UN First Committee on startingnuclear burden-sharing. It states, “We strongly encourage you to vote ‘no’ on any vote at the UN First Committee on starting

negotiations for a nuclear ban treaty.”negotiations for a nuclear ban treaty.”

This pressure was successful; no U.S. allies voted in favor of the U.N. resolution, although the Netherlands abstained. In theThis pressure was successful; no U.S. allies voted in favor of the U.N. resolution, although the Netherlands abstained. In the

end, the Netherlands was the only U.S. ally to participate in negotiations, as its legislature end, the Netherlands was the only U.S. ally to participate in negotiations, as its legislature required it to do sorequired it to do so. U.S. pressure on. U.S. pressure on

NATO allies and partners surrounding this treaty continues.NATO allies and partners surrounding this treaty continues.

In September, In September, Defense NewsDefense News reported that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sent a letter to Sweden — a NATO partner — reported that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sent a letter to Sweden — a NATO partner —

threatening future U.S. military cooperation if Stockholm joins the TPNW.threatening future U.S. military cooperation if Stockholm joins the TPNW.

Should the United States be worried that NATO allies might join the treaty?Should the United States be worried that NATO allies might join the treaty?

Although the United States might still be concerned that its NATO allies might join the treaty in the future, here are threeAlthough the United States might still be concerned that its NATO allies might join the treaty in the future, here are three

reasons why current trends appear to work in favor of the U.S. position.reasons why current trends appear to work in favor of the U.S. position.

1) Most NATO members are putting the alliance first1) Most NATO members are putting the alliance first. First, most NATO member . First, most NATO member governmentsgovernments have spoken have spoken outout against against

the the treatytreaty, claiming it is at odds with their alliance commitments. One country of particular concern for the United States was, claiming it is at odds with their alliance commitments. One country of particular concern for the United States was

Norway. Under its labor coalition government from 2005 to 2013, Norway provided significant funding to ICAN and, in 2013,Norway. Under its labor coalition government from 2005 to 2013, Norway provided significant funding to ICAN and, in 2013,

held the first of three well-attended international held the first of three well-attended international conferences on the humanitarian effectsconferences on the humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons use. When this of nuclear weapons use. When this

government lost the election in 2013 to a conservative coalition, ICAN lost a major source of support. Many in the disarmamentgovernment lost the election in 2013 to a conservative coalition, ICAN lost a major source of support. Many in the disarmament

community hoped a return of a labor coalition would lead to Oslo’s support of the new treaty. In elections this September,community hoped a return of a labor coalition would lead to Oslo’s support of the new treaty. In elections this September,

however, the conservative coalition retained power. The Netherlands is another government in which there is some domestichowever, the conservative coalition retained power. The Netherlands is another government in which there is some domestic

support for the treaty, but its leaders have also support for the treaty, but its leaders have also declareddeclared they would not support it. they would not support it.

2) Russian aggression makes this a tricky time to talk about disarmament2) Russian aggression makes this a tricky time to talk about disarmament. A second factor dampening NATO. A second factor dampening NATO

enthusiasm for the TPNW is Russian aggression, especially since 2014. Annexing Crimea, destabilizing Ukraine, enthusiasm for the TPNW is Russian aggression, especially since 2014. Annexing Crimea, destabilizing Ukraine, cheatingcheating on an on an

arms control treaty, conducting arms control treaty, conducting provocativeprovocative militarymilitary activitiesactivities near NATO borders and issuing nuclear near NATO borders and issuing nuclear threatsthreats are all behaviors are all behaviors

that have NATO leaders thinking twice about rejecting nuclear weapons.that have NATO leaders thinking twice about rejecting nuclear weapons.

In interviews I conducted with disarmament advocates at the U.N. negotiations this summer for a In interviews I conducted with disarmament advocates at the U.N. negotiations this summer for a forthcoming articleforthcoming article, many, many

indicated that Russia’s resurgence meant the treaty’s timing was less than ideal. Indeed, the change within Europe on this issueindicated that Russia’s resurgence meant the treaty’s timing was less than ideal. Indeed, the change within Europe on this issue

is well illustrated by German behavior. In 2009 and 2010, Germany and a is well illustrated by German behavior. In 2009 and 2010, Germany and a handfulhandful of other NATO states of other NATO states wantedwanted to to discussdiscuss the the

removalremoval of U.S. nuclear weapons from Europe. Earlier this year, in contrast, Germany of U.S. nuclear weapons from Europe. Earlier this year, in contrast, Germany revealed

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