ABSTRACT
Economically and militarily powerful states have almost universally refused to join the drive to outlaw the development, possession, threat and use of nuclear weapons. However, despite their efforts, the nuclear-armed states have not managed to derail the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Now, aided and abetted by faithful allies and client states, they are intent on ensuring the treaty remains a toothless tiger. This pernicious strategy need not succeed. That the treaty took only three years to gain the necessary ratifications is encouraging. The aim must now be to double the number of ratifications over the next three years.
