ABSTRACT

The 1968 Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – in force since 1970 – is unique among arms control agreements. It prohibits the possession of the most destructive weapons by an overwhelming majority of states, but tolerates the possession of these weapons by a handful of states. The main burden of non-proliferation undertakings is thus carried by the non-nuclearweapon states (NNWS).