OUVRAGE : A. Vicente, P. Sinovets, J. Théron (eds.), Russia’s War on Ukraine. The Implications for the Global Nuclear Order

Adérito VICENTE, Polina SINOVETS, Julien THÉRON

This book explores how Russia’s War on Ukraine has changed the global nuclear order. The Russian aggression against Ukraine questioned the values of the liberal regimes and systems upon which the global nuclear order is built. At the heart of this nuclear order lies the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which remains until today the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation regime.

In this context, the book examines new challenges and threats to the global nuclear order. It discusses the deterioration of nuclear norms, as well as the increasing number of the states further challenging the NPT regime by attempts to develop nuclear weapons. The book further sheds light on a growing number of states trying to resolve their territorial claims using the nuclear coercion and the umbrella function of their nuclear arsenals. The authors present the loopholes in the existing arms control system and the arms trade, which became obvious in the course of the war, and analyze the further split between the supporters of the NPT and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Srutinizing the deepening polarization of the supporters and the opponents of nuclear weapons, the book includes a new debate about the competing narratives on nuclear deterrence and disarmament. Finally, the volume discusses the development and the increase of new missiles and disruptive technologies such as hypersonic missiles, drones, and artificial intelligence.

This book will appeal to students and scholars of international relations and political science in general, and security studies, military and defense studies, peace and conflict studies, and foreign policy in particular, as well as policy-makers interested in a better understanding of nuclear deterrence, the global nuclear order, and the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 

Adérito Vicente, Polina Sinovets, Julien Théron, How Has Russia’s War on Ukraine Changed the Global Nuclear Order?

PART I. THE NEW CHALLENGES AND THREATS TO GLOBAL NUCLEAR ORDER

Sergiy Galaka, The Crisis of Global Security Architecture and Challenges for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control
Julien Théron, Irregular Nuclear Warfare: Operating Top-of-the-Spectrum Means in the Gray Zone under the Threshold of Reaction. A Predictive Approach to the Ukrainian Battlefield
Olga Brusylovska, Russia’s Nuclear Blackmail as a Threat to the Global Nuclear Order

PART II. MISSILE AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Sitki Egeli, Emerging and Disruptive Technologies in Russia’s War against Ukraine
Miles Pomper, Vasilii Tuganov, Role of Missiles in Russia’s War on Ukraine and Its Implications for the Future of Warfare

PART III. ARMS CONTROL DEADLOCK AND THE POSSIBLE WAYS OUT

Nikolai Sokov, War in Ukraine and US–Russian Arms Control: Is It Needed? Is It Possible?
Łukasz Kulesa, Strategic Arms Control Deadlock and the Possible Ways Out
Federica Dall’Arche, Gender Perspectives in Arms Control and the Risks Deriving from Russia’s War on Ukraine

PART IV. THE NPT REGIME: COMPETING NARRATIVES ON NUCLEAR DETERRENCE AND DISARMAMENT

Polina Sinovets, Iryna Maksymenko, Nuclear Deterrence in Russia’s War on Ukraine: The Credibility Dilemma
Adérito Vicente, The Future of the Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament Regime
Valeriia Hesse, U-Factor: Russia’s War on Ukraine and the Deterrence vs. Disarmament Discussion. Pragmatic Internationalism

PART V. THE IMPACT OF RUSSIA’S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE ON REGIONAL CASES

Valentina Cassar, Anchoring US–Russia Relations: Perspectives, Strategic Cultures, and Nuclear Posture
Tetiana Melnyk, NATO’s New Strategic Concept: The Changing Role of Nuclear Weapons, from Collective Security Back to Collective Defense
Valeriia Gergiieva, How Did the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Influence Iran’s Approach to the Nuclear Threshold?
Adérito Vicente, Muhammed Ali Alkış, Iryna Maksymenko, The Impact of Russia’s War against Ukraine on Finland and Sweden’s Decision to Join NATO: Effects on the Global Nuclear Order

CONCLUSION 

Adérito Vicente, Polina Sinovets, Julien Théron, Challenges and Prospects for the Current Global Nuclear Order

Adérito VICENTE, Polina SINOVETS, Julien THÉRON (eds.), Russia’s War on Ukraine. The Implications for the Global Nuclear Order, Cham, Springer, 2023 (258 pp.)