How many countries have nuclear weapons and how many are there? How destructive are today’s nuclear weapons? What about “nuclear deterrence” theory? Do nuclear weapons help keep the peace? What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons? What is nuclear sharing and who is involved? Can a NATO state join the TPNW? What about the Middle East? Why does this treaty matter if none of the countries with nuclear weapons have joined? Did Ukraine give up nuclear weapons? Why should one country give up its nuclear weapons if other countries still have them? Why should countries that don’t have nuclear weapons care about this treaty? What is the “Eurobomb” and why are European politicians talking about it? What are "tactical" nuclear weapons? What are 'dirty bombs'? What are space nuclear weapons? Who makes the decisions around the nuclear weapons stationed abroad? What are the risks of nuclear sharing? Is nuclear sharing legal? Will the US and UK resume nuclear sharing at Lakenheath air base? What is the nuclear test ban treaty and why has Russia revoked its ratification? What is the New START Agreement and why has Russia suspended its implementation? What are gravity bombs and why is the US building the new B61-13 nuclear weapon?

What is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons?

Answer

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted in July 2017 at the United Nations with 122 countries voting in favor. It bans the use, threat of use, development, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, transfer, stationing, deployment or installation of nuclear weapons, as well as assistance with, encouragement or inducement of any of these prohibited activities. The treaty also includes positive obligations requiring states parties with people or places harmed by nuclear weapons use or testing under their  jurisdiction to provide assistance and requires all states parties in a position to do so to also help these efforts. The treaty strengthens the norm against nuclear weapons as the first legal instrument to ban them.