ABSTRACT
In Chapter 8 I proposed that talks be undertaken to explore how a denuclearized world could be achieved. I described these Exploratory Denuclearization Talks as
a fabric of bilateral, multilateral, and full meetings, on a pace significantly faster than that of the Conference on Disarmament. The XDT would require that one official in each participating state be charged with responsibility for this action, and have a small staff for support.
(…) simultaneous decision will be possible, and only possible, when each of the participating states sees ZNW as in its interest. Its government leadership must be convinced that its purposes—in national security, in the economy, in relations with other states—are better served by ZNW than by the status quo.
Not chartered to consider whether to commit to abolition, the XDT would instead assume abolition and seek practical and politically effective measures to implement an abolition decision. In this context, free and hypothetical, states could fully canvass steps that they and others might take, and assess what would be required to serve interest and achieve adequate security.