No first use
Template:Nuclear weapons
No first use (NFU) is a pledge or a policy by a nuclear power not to use nuclear weapons as a means of warfare unless first attacked by an adversary using nuclear weapons. This concept is also applied to chemical and biological warfare in case of the NFU policy of India.[1][2]
NATO has repeatedly rejected calls for adopting NFU policy.[3] During the lifetime of the Soviet Union it argued that pre-emptive nuclear strike is a key option, in order to have a credible deterrent that could compensate for the overwhelming conventional weapon superiority enjoyed by the Soviet Army in Eurasia.[4][5] In 1993, Russia dropped a pledge against first use of nuclear weapons made in 1982 by Leonid Brezhnev.[6] In 2000, a Russian military doctrine stated that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons "in response to a large-scale conventional aggression".[7]
Countries pledging no-first-use[edit]
China[edit]
China[8] became the first nation to propose and pledge NFU policy when it first gained nuclear capabilities in 1964, stating "not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time or under any circumstances". During the Cold War, China decided to keep the size of its nuclear arsenal small, rather than compete in an international nuclear arms race with the United States and the Soviet Union.[9][10] China has repeatedly reaffirmed its no-first-use policy in recent years, doing so in 2005, 2008, 2009 and again in 2011. China has also consistently called on the United States to adopt a no-first-use policy, to reach an NFU agreement bilaterally with China, and to conclude an NFU agreement among the five nuclear weapon states.
India[edit]
India first adopted a "no first use" policy after its second nuclear tests, Pokhran-II, in 1998. In August 1999, the Indian government released a draft of the doctrine[11] which asserts that nuclear weapons are solely for deterrence and that India will pursue a policy of "retaliation only". The document also maintains that India "will not be the first to initiate a nuclear first strike, but will respond with punitive retaliation should deterrence fail" and that decisions to authorise the use of nuclear weapons would be made by the prime minister or his "designated successor(s)".[11] According to the National Research Development Corporation, despite the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan in 2001–2002, India remained committed to its nuclear no-first-use policy.[12] India is in the process of developing a nuclear doctrine based on "credible minimum deterrence".
In a speech at the National Defence College by India's National Security Advisor, Shivshankar Menon, on October 21, 2010, the wording was changed from "no first use" to "no first use against non-nuclear weapon states",[13] but some argued that it was not a substantive change but "an innocent typographical or lexical error in the text of the speech".[14] Prime Minister Modi has, before the recent general elections, reiterated commitment to a no-first-use policy.[15] In April 2013, Shyam Saran, convener of the National Security Advisory Board, affirmed that regardless of the size of a nuclear attack against India, be it a tactical nuclear weapon or a strategic nuclear weapon, India would retaliate massively.[16] That was in response to reports that Pakistan had developed a tactical battlefield nuclear weapon in an attempt to supposedly nullify an Indian "no first use" retaliatory doctrine.[17] On November 10, 2016, the Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar questioned the no-first-use policy of India, and asked why should India "bind" itself when it is a "responsible nuclear power". He clarified that it was his personal opinion.[18]
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking on the anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on August 16, 2019, said that India's no-first-use policy might change depending upon the "circumstances". Vajpayee's government conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.[19]
Countries against no-first-use policy[edit]
Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States,[20] and France[21] say that they will use nuclear weapons against either nuclear or non-nuclear states only in the case of invasion or other attack against their territory or against one of their allies. Historically, NATO military strategy, taking into account the numerical superiority of Warsaw Pact conventional forces, assumed that tactical nuclear weapons would have to be used to defeat a Soviet invasion.[22][23]
At the 16th NATO summit in April 1999, Germany proposed that NATO adopt a no-first-use policy, but the proposal was rejected.[24] In 2022, leaders of the five NPT nuclear-weapon states issued a statement on prevention of nuclear war, saying "We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought."[25]
Soviet Union/Russia[edit]
In its final years, the Soviet Union adopted a formal no-first-use in 1982 when Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko read a pledge by General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev against a pre-emptive nuclear strike at the United Nations.[26] However, this pledge was not taken seriously, and later leaked Soviet Armed Forces documents confirmed that the military had plans for a pre-emptive nuclear strike and considered launching one during the Able Archer 83 crisis.[27][28][29] After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation formally reversed this policy in 1993 due to the weakness of the Russian Armed Forces in the post-Soviet era.[27][30] Russia describes its entire military doctrine as defensive military doctrine. With regard to nuclear weapons specifically, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons:
- in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and also
- in case of aggression against Russia with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened.[31]
The new military doctrine of 2014 does not depart from this stance.[32] The 2020 Presidential Executive Order on Nuclear Deterrence in Article 4 uses the wording: "deterrence of a potential adversary from aggression against the Russian Federation and/or its allies. In the event of a military conflict, this Policy provides for the prevention of an escalation of military actions and their termination on conditions that are acceptable for the Russian Federation and/or its allies."[33] This has been interpreted as describing non-nuclear scenarios where Russia might use nuclear weapons to achieve its military goals.[34] During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, observers expressed concern that Russia would preemptively use tactical nuclear weapons after President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of Russian nuclear forces to "combat-ready" status.[35]
Russia and China do maintain a mutual agreement to have a no first use policy which was developed under the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. Under the second paragraph of article two, China and Russia agreed that "The contracting parties reaffirm their commitment that they will not be the first to use nuclear weapons against each other nor target strategic nuclear missiles against each other."[36]
United Kingdom[edit]
In March 2002, the Secretary of State for Defence Geoff Hoon stated that the UK was prepared to use nuclear weapons against "rogue states" such as Ba'athist Iraq if they ever used "weapons of mass destruction" against British Armed Forces troops in the field.[37] This policy was restated in February 2003 and again under the Ministry of Defence's Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.[27][38] In April 2017 Defence Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed that the UK would use nuclear weapons in a "pre-emptive initial strike" in "the most extreme circumstances".[39] Fallon stated in a parliamentary answer that the UK has neither a 'first use' or 'no first use' in its nuclear weapon policy so that its adversaries would not know when the UK would launch nuclear strikes.[40]
United States[edit]
The United States has refused to adopt a no first use policy and says that it "reserves the right to use" nuclear weapons first in the case of conflict. This was partially to provide a nuclear umbrella over its allies in NATO as a deterrent against a conventional Warsaw Pact attack during the Cold War, and NATO continues to oppose a no-first-use policy.[27][41] Not only did the United States and NATO refuse to adopt a no first use policy, but until 1967 they maintained a nuclear doctrine of "massive retaliation" in which nuclear weapons would explicitly be used to defend North America or Western Europe against a conventional attack. Although this strategy was revised, they both reserved the right to use nuclear weapons first under the new doctrine of "flexible response."[42]
The US doctrine for the use of nuclear weapons was revised most recently in the Nuclear Posture Review, released April 6, 2010.[43] The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review reduces the role of U.S. nuclear weapons: "The fundamental role of U.S. nuclear weapons, which will continue as long as nuclear weapons exist, is to deter nuclear attack on the United States, our allies, and partners." The U.S. doctrine also includes the following assurance to other states: "The United States will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states that are party to the NPT and in compliance with their nuclear non-proliferation obligations."[43]
For states eligible for the assurance, the United States would not use nuclear weapons in response to a chemical or biological attack but states that those responsible for such an attack would be held accountable and would face the prospect of a devastating conventional military response. Even for states that are not eligible for the assurance, the United States would consider the use of nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of the United States or its allies and partners. The Nuclear Posture Review also notes, "It is in the U.S. interest and that of all other nations that the nearly 65-year record of nuclear non-use be extended forever."[43]
This supersedes the doctrine of the George W. Bush administration set forth in "Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations" and written under the direction of Air Force General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The new doctrine envisions commanders requesting presidential approval to use nuclear weapons to preempt an attack by a nation or a terrorist group using weapons of mass destruction.[44] The draft also includes the option of using nuclear weapons to destroy known enemy stockpiles of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons.
In August 2016, President Barack Obama reportedly considered adopting a 'No First Use' policy.[45][46][47] Obama was persuaded by several Cabinet officials such as Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz that 'No First Use' would rattle U.S. allies and decided not to take up the policy.[48][49]
During the 2017–2018 North Korea crisis, there were efforts to either require congressional approval for a pre-emptive nuclear strike[50] or to ban it altogether and impose an NFU policy.[51] The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Bob Corker held its first meeting on the President's authority to use nuclear weapons in 41 years.[52] Since 2017, Ted Lieu, Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Adam Smith all introduced bills to limit the President's ability to order a pre-emptive nuclear strike.[53][54] Calls to limit the President of the United States' ability to unilaterally launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike increased after the 2021 United States Capitol attack.[55][56][57] During the 2020 United States presidential election the eventual victor Joe Biden expressed support for a "sole purpose" declaration confirming that the only use of U.S. nuclear weapons would be as a deterrent, although this is distinct from a "no first use" declaration identifying that the United States would not unilaterally use them.[58][59][60]
Pakistan[edit]
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shamshad Ahmad warned that if Pakistan is ever invaded or attacked, it will use "any weapon in its arsenal" to defend itself.[61]
Pakistan refuses to adopt a no first use doctrine and indicates that it would launch nuclear weapons even if the other side did not use such weapons first. Pakistan's asymmetric nuclear posture has significant influence on India's ability to retaliate, as shown in 2001 and 2008 crises, when non-state actors carried out deadly terrorist attacks on India, only to be met with a relatively subdued response from India. A military spokesperson stated that "Pakistan's threat of nuclear first-use deterred India from seriously considering conventional military strikes."[62]
Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz defended the policy of first use.[63] Aziz stated that Pakistan's first use doctrine is entirely deterrent in nature. He explained that it was effective after the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and argued that if Pakistan had a no first use policy, there would have been a major war between the two countries.[63]
Israel[edit]
Although Israel does not officially confirm or deny having nuclear weapons, the country is widely believed to be in possession of them. Its continued ambiguous stance puts it in a difficult position since to issue a statement pledging 'no first use' would confirm their possession of nuclear weapons.
Israel has said that it "would not be the first country in the Middle East to formally introduce nuclear weapons into the region".[64]
If Israel's very existence is threatened, some speculate that Israel would use a "Samson Option", a "last resort" deterrence strategy of massive retaliation with nuclear weapons, should the State of Israel be substantially damaged and/or near destruction.[65][66][67] According to Israeli historian Avner Cohen, Israel's policy on nuclear weapons, which was set down in 1966, revolves around four "red lines" which could lead to an Israeli nuclear response:
- A successful military penetration into populated areas within Israel's borders.
- The destruction of the Israeli Air Force.
- Israeli cities being subjected to massive and devastating aerial bombardment, chemical attacks, or biological attacks.
- The use of nuclear weapons against Israel.[47]
North Korea[edit]
North Korea's stated policy position is that nuclear weapons "will never be abused or used as a means for preemptive strike", but if there is an "attempt to have recourse to military force against us" North Korea may use their "most powerful offensive strength in advance to punish them".[68]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "India's Response to CBW attack". Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.
- ↑ Sundaram, Kumar; Ramana, M.V. (2018). "India and the Policy of No First Use of Nuclear Weapons". Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament. 1: 152–168. doi:10.1080/25751654.2018.1438737.
- ↑ NATO's Nuclear Weapons: The Rationale for 'No First Use' | Arms Control Association - July/August 1999 - Jack Mendelsohn
- ↑ Chang, Gordon (July 27, 2016). "Declaring a no-first-use nuclear policy would be exceedingly risky". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ↑ Tierney, Dominic. "Refusing to Nuke First Is for the Powerful". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ↑ Schmemann, Serge (November 4, 1993). "Russia Drops Pledge of No First Use of Atom Arms". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ↑ No First Use of Nuclear Weapons meeting: paper by Yuri Fedorov, 'Russia's Doctrine on the Use of Nuclear Weapons' Archived December 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine - Pugwash Meeting no. 279 London, UK, 15–17 November 2002
- ↑ "Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: Issues: Policies: No First Use Policy". Nuclearfiles.org. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ↑ "No-First-Use (NFU)". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Archived from the original on 2010-01-25.
- ↑ "Statement on security assurances issued on 5 April 1995 by the People's Republic of China" (PDF). United Nations. 6 April 1995. S/1995/265. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
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(help)[permanent dead link] - ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Draft Report of National Security Advisory Board on Indian Nuclear Doctrine". Indianembassy.org. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ↑ [shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/.../08_chapter%204.pdf A Rani (2013)]
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ "Did India Change its Nuclear Doctrine?: Much Ado about Nothing". Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ↑ "Modi says committed to no first use of nuclear weapons". Reuters. April 16, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ↑ Bagchi, Indrani (April 30, 2013). "Even a midget nuke strike will lead to massive retaliation, India warns Pak". The Economic Times. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Analysis: New Pakistani Tactical Nuclear Weapons — Implications And Ramifications". Space Daily. February 16, 2013.
- ↑ "India's defense minister questions its no first-use nuclear policy — then says it's his personal opinion". The Washington Post. November 10, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ↑ Special Correspondent (August 16, 2019). "'No First Use' nuclear policy depends on circumstances: Rajnath Singh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
- ↑ d'Ancona, Matthew (26 October 2003). "Pentagon wants 'mini-nukes' to fight terrorists — Telegraph". London: Julian Coman in Washington. Archived from the original on 4 December 2003. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
- ↑ Heuser, Beatrice (1997). NATO, Britain, France, and the FRG nuclear strategies and forces for Europe, 1949-2000. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 120–121. ISBN 9780230377622. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ↑ The East-West Strategic Balance. 1982.
- ↑ Healy, Melissa (October 3, 1987). "Senate Permits Study for New Tactical Nuclear Missile". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ↑ "Germany Raises No-First-Use Issue at NATO Meeting | Arms Control Association". Armscontrol.org. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
- ↑ Reuters (2022-01-04). "Russia, China, Britain, U.S. and France say no one can win nuclear war". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
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has generic name (help) - ↑ Goshko, John M. (1982-06-16). "Soviet Chief Renounces First Use of A-Weapons". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 "'No First Use' and Nuclear Weapons". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Soviet plan for WW3 nuclear attack unearthed". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Able Archer 83: the Nato war-game that nearly spelled nuclear disaster". www.historyextra.com. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ↑ Efron, Sonni (1993-11-04). "Russia Discards Soviet Legacy of No First Use of A-Weapons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Voyennaya doktrina Rossiyskoy Federatsii" Военная доктрина Российской Федерации [Military doctrine of the Russian Federation]. scrf.gov.ru (in русский). Moscow: Security Council of the Russian Federation. 2010-06-25 [presidential decree 2010-06-25]. Archived from the original on 2011-05-04. The same URL is used for various revisions with different presidential decree dates.
- ↑ Military doctrine of the Russian Federation of 2014 [1] paragraph 27
- ↑ "Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence". GlobalSecurity.org. June 8, 2020.
- ↑ Topychkanov, Petr (October 1, 2020). "Russia's nuclear doctrine moves the focus from non-Western threats". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- ↑ "Ukraine war: Could Russia use tactical nuclear weapons?". BBC News. 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation Article 2, second paragraph
- ↑ "BBC News — UK 'prepared to use nuclear weapons'". 20 March 2002. Archived from the original on 2002-10-20. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
- ↑ "BBC NEWS — UK restates nuclear threat". BBC News. 2 February 2003. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
- ↑ Merrick, Rob (24 April 2017). "Theresa May would fire UK's nuclear weapons as a 'first strike', says Defence Secretary Michael Fallon". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
- ↑ Fallon, Michael (5 September 2017). "Nuclear Weapons:Written question - 8502". Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ↑ "NATO's Nuclear Weapons: The Rationale for 'No First Use' | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "NATO's Nuclear Weapons: The Rationale for 'No First Use' | Arms Control Association". www.armscontrol.org. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 Nuclear Posture Review Report, U.S. Department of Defense, April 2010.
- ↑ "Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations" (PDF).
- ↑ Blair, Bruce. "The Flimsy Case Against No-First-Use of Nuclear Weapons". POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ↑ "The dangers of no-first-use". 22 August 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 Sonne, Paul; Lubold, Gordon; Lee, Carol E. (12 August 2016). "'No First Use' Nuclear Policy Proposal Assailed by U.S. Cabinet Officials, Allies". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660.
- ↑ Sanger, David E.; Broad, William J. (5 September 2016). "Obama Unlikely to Vow No First Use of Nuclear Weapons". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ↑ Tierney, Dominic (14 September 2016). "Refusing to Nuke First Is for the Powerful". The Atlantic. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
- ↑ Mitchell, Ellen (2017-05-03), "Lawmakers back push to curtail Trump's nuclear strike ability", The Hill, retrieved 2018-01-07
- ↑ Lillis, Mike (2017-10-12), "Pelosi urges new law to limit president's use of nuclear weapons", The Hill, retrieved 2018-01-07
- ↑ "Senate committee questions Trump's nuclear authority". Reuters. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Senator Warren, Chairman Smith Unveil Legislation to Establish "No-First-Use" Nuclear Weapons Policy | U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts". www.warren.senate.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ↑ "CONGRESSMAN LIEU, SENATOR MARKEY INTRODUCE THE RESTRICTING FIRST USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS ACT OF 2017". Congressman Ted Lieu. 2017-01-24. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Opinion | Invasion of Ukraine proves the U.S. must Trump-proof the nuclear codes — fast". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ "Trump-inspired insurrection prompts concern over control of nuclear weapons". Roll Call. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ Perry, Elizabeth Warren and William J. "No president should have unilateral power to use nuclear weapons: Sen. Warren and Sec. Perry". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ↑ Woolf, Amy F. (2021). U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy: Considering “No First Use” (PDF). Washington DC: Congressional Research Service. OCLC 1097538161.
- ↑ "Sole Purpose Is Not No First Use: Nuclear Weapons and Declaratory Policy". War on the Rocks. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ↑ Biden, Joseph R.; Jr (2022-03-10). "Why America Must Lead Again". ISSN 0015-7120. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ↑ Dixit, J. N. (2003-09-02). India-Pakistan in War and Peace — J. N. Dixit — Google Books. ISBN 9781134407583.
- ↑ Narang, Vipin (January 2010). "Pakistan's Nuclear Posture: Implications for South Asian Stability" (PDF). Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Policy Brief. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Boies, Mary McInnis. "Promoting U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Future Challenges and Opportunities". Council of Foreign Relations. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ↑ "Israel's Nuclear Program and Middle East Peace". Lionel Beehner. February 10, 2006. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
- ↑ Hersh, Seymour M. (1991). The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy (1st ed.). New York: Random House. pp. 42, 136–137, 288–289. ISBN 0-394-57006-5. OCLC 24609770.
- ↑ Cohen, Avner (1998). Israel and the bomb. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 2, 7, 341. ISBN 0-585-04150-4. OCLC 42330721.
- ↑ Avner Cohen, "Israel's Nuclear Opacity: a Political Genealogy", The Dynamics of Middle East Nuclear Proliferation, pp. 187–212, edited by Steven L. Spiegel, Jennifer D. Kibbe and Elizabeth G. Matthews. Symposium Series, Volume 66, The Edwin Mellen Press, 2001.
- ↑ "Kim Jong Un's October 10 Speech: More Than Missiles". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
Further reading[edit]
- Feiveson, Harold A.; Hogendoorn, Ernst Jan: "No First Use of Nuclear Weapons", in: The Nonproliferation Review. 10(2)/2003. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies, ISSN 1073-6700
- MacDonald, Rhona: "Nuclear Weapons 60 Years On: Still a Global Public Health Threat", in: PLoS Medicine. 2(11)/2005. Public Library of Science, e301, ISSN 1549-1277