Replay the session and read a summary below.

HOW TO MINIMIZE THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Panelists:

• Tarja Cronberg, Executive Board Member, European Leadership Network
• Vincent Desportes, Major General (r); Faculty member, PSIA
• Veronika Kvietkova, International Security, PSIA
• Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria

Moderated by:

• Steven Erlanger, chief diplomatic correspondent for Europe, New York Times

Introduced by:

• Clément Masselin, International Governance and Diplomacy, PSIA

“How to minimise the use of nuclear weapons?” was the first question Boutmy amphitheatre has seen enlightened on the 16th January 2023. As the war in Ukraine still rages, all speakers used it as a realistic contextual setting. To that extent, Steven Erlanger opened the panel by wondering “if we are, sometimes, sleepwalking when it comes to nuclear weapons.”

Imagining a new global order

Alexander Schallenberg reacted by claiming that “we are living through an earthquake”. He explained that, from the fall of the Iron Curtain (1989) to the invasion of Crimea (2014), European citizens lived in a “post historic paradise of peace”. To rethink without blowing up the current global order, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested that “we keep our unity, our sense of proportion”. Indeed, he believes Russia is fundamentally part of European history and culture, which induces a need for close dialogue and cooperation. This is why he asserts that “imperialistic madness has to stop”.

Guaranteeing security in the wake of the Russo-Ukrainian war

The discussion took a dramatic turn when French General, Vincent Desportes, analysed the risk of a nuclear attack coming from Russia. In a precocious tone, he warned his peers about Putin’s unpredictable behaviour and gave the young audience the responsibility to “build the new world [we] are going to live in”. In his view, this means finding new ways of dialogue and learning from past experiences such as WWI. Veronika Kvietkova, International Security masters student, opened new perspectives by claiming that “the year 2022 opened Pandora’s box.” She adopted a clear-cut vision by calling to forbid nuclear weapons as she believes the fear Putin raises emboldens him. Alexander Schallenberg took over her argument by taking pride in Austria’s active leadership regarding nuclear weapons non-proliferation. He argued it would be “dramatically wrong” to think that “the best way to achieve world peace is to allow everyone to use nuclear weapons” as opposed to a complete ban.

From legitimate defence to authoritarian threats

Tarja Cronberg confirmed this view. The Executive Board Member from the European Leadership Network broke what she considers a “taboo” by openly talking about clandestine nuclear programs. She affirmed that “today this threat has moved to superpowers”, contrary to isolated dictators back in 1945. She advances this becomes highly sensitive when unstable leaders can bypass decisions issued by their defence council and trigger the atomic bomb whenever they decide to. Tarja Cronberg continued by stating that declining superpowers are more likely to threaten their adversaries with their atomic weapon, as it is an absolute threat in a context of relative weakness. She concluded her intervention by encouraging the United Nations to take sides in this debate by providing binding guidelines, should current or future situations escalate.

Reforming institutions

Then, Steven Erlanger opened the floor to questions which mainly concerned a potential reform of international institutions. Alexander Schallenberg proved to be prolix about this topic. He believes in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons’ potential to entrench non-proliferation. In his view, public pressure has a key-role to play in the adoption of international binding rules. Tarja Cronberg joined him by using the Cuban missile crisis as an example. Meanwhile, Vincent Desportes believes that “the old architecture is dead” and advocated for a complete reformation of international institutions. Further encouragement came from Veronika Kvietkova who courageously said that “we need to swallow our pride and be more courageous in attempting reform to make the world institutions more representative”.

Desiging a nuclear-free peace

Following these critical messages the audience challenged the panellists by tackling security guarantees. Both the Austrian Minister and French General agreed to say that “you can never have absolute security guarantee”. However, they encouraged youth “to design the peace [they] want to achieve” by proposing concrete, inclusive and fair follow-up plans. Tarja Cronberg mitigated this statement by shedding light on incurable injuries caused by wars, even before considering using nuclear weapons. The panel ended on a hopeful message delivered by Alexander Schallenberg who firmly claimed “I believe in international law, I believe in naming and shaming. We need self-belief and the optimism that we will get through this, because we will.”

(c) An article by Jade Alves-Gabiron, a student in the Master in Environmental Policy at PSIA.

More information about the Youth & Leaders Summit 2023.