ABSTRACT
Advocates of nuclear weapons argue that nuclear weapons deter aggression and provide the ultimate resource should all other means fail. Nuclear disarmament will require verification to assure that the arms reductions steps a State commits to are in fact carried out, and that along the way, the State does not attempt to maintain or manufacture a hedge capability to offset its declared actions. Within the scope of known methods and existing research and development, no combination of methods will ever give absolute assurance. Progress towards disarmament proceeds, verification systems such as those proposed are essential. They will provide means and opportunities for the verification authorities to detect cheating and raise alarm bells. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been met with resistance by a number of States including all nine nuclear-armed States and States under their protection or influence.
