Question

How do the big powers react when new countries claim nuclear status? On what basis can we say that some countries can be trusted with nuclear weapons while others can’t be?

Answer 1

The major powers react negatively and aggressively when new countries claim nuclear status. They view these entrants as direct threats to their strategic dominance, global security authority, and the global balance of power. The distinction of who can be trusted is based on a discriminatory international hierarchy (like the NPT), which arbitrarily brands powerful, established nations as “responsible custodians” while characterising smaller or rival nations as irresponsible and untrustworthy.