The Middle East challenge to the Nuclear Weapons Ban Ttreaty

Abstract

The historic approval in July 2017 of a treaty banning nuclear arms, despite the complex nature of such an agreement, could represent a significant stride towards the worldwide elimination of the-se weapons. In addition, it reinforced the conviction that NWFZs (Nuclear Weapons Free Zones) can contribute to the success of complex regional disarmament processes, as in the Middle East. This study aims to present an exploratory analysis of the Middle Eastern vote and the respective political views exhibited by the countries of the region during the United Nations treaty negotia-tions, from the treaty-drafting negotiations to the final vote. In an uncertain global context of re-emergent deterrence policies, a review of the possible limitation of nuclear weapons through a regional case offers an interesting insight into the state of current international affairs.