Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is considered to be the "holy grail" of nuclear arms control. Ratifying the CTBT would institute a global ban on all nuclear weapons explosions on the earth’s surface, underwater and underground. Banning these test explosions drastically reduces any chances of developing new nuclear weapons technologies and programs.
The CTBT has now been signed by 183 nations and ratified by 158 including Russia and U.S. allies. However, the CTBT will not go into effect until it is ratified by eight specific countries including the United States, China, India and Iran. U.S. ratification would spur these key counties to ratify and would reinforce the global taboo against nuclear testing.
To learn more, check out our fact sheet: CTBT Fact Sheet
Read Public Policy Director Kathy Crandall Robinson's op-ed "It's time for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty" on The Hill's Congress Blog (4/11/2012).
Additional Resources:
- Faith and Global Policy Challenges: a study that explores how spiritual values shape views on social issues, including nuclear risks
- Press release by the National Association of Evangelicals: calls for reductions in the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal
- Remarks by Ellen Tauscher, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, given in New York City on September 23, 2011 (Under Secretary Tauscher was present at the WiLL/WAND National Conference four days prior and gave an amazing capstone address on the CTBT).
- LA Times Op Ed: Ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by Daryl Kimball and Hazel R. O'Leary
- Op-ed: Time for a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: by WAND Public Policy Director Kathy Crandall Robinson
- International Day Against Nuclear Tests , written by WAND Nuclear Security Research Fellow, Annie Jennings
- Women Leaders on Next Steps to Reduce Nuclear Threat: watch a video by Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ellen Tauscher and read remarks by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
- Commemorating President Obama’s Landmark Prague Speech: outlines the steps needed to move toward a safer world without nuclear weapons
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