Sign In Sign Up
Why Nuclear Deterrence Is Being Challenged — And Why It Still Isn’t Going Away
Delegates attend a session of the Second Committee at the United Nations (May 2026), chaired by Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative Kairat Umarov, during discussions on global economic and security issues. | UN Photo/Loey Felipe
Deep Dive

Why Nuclear Deterrence Is Being Challenged — And Why It Still Isn’t Going Away

Inside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the United Nations, calls to replace nuclear deterrence with “common security” are growing. This ONEST+ analysis explains why the idea is gaining traction — and why nuclear powers are unlikely to abandon deterrence anytime soon.
By Olga Nesterova • 5 min read
Can “Common Security” Replace Nuclear Deterrence?
Delegates inside the United Nations General Assembly Hall during the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York | UN Photo/Manuel Elias
Explained

Can “Common Security” Replace Nuclear Deterrence?

Reporting from the United Nations, as the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference unfolds, a growing movement is challenging nuclear deterrence with a new model: common security. What it means, why it matters, and what comes next.
By Olga Nesterova • 6 min read