Ydinasevaltiot

Ydinasevaltiot refers to countries that possess nuclear weapons. Currently, there are nine recognized nuclear-weapon states: the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. The first five are known as the P5 states, who are also permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The development and proliferation of nuclear weapons have been a significant concern for international security since the mid-20th century. The United States detonated the first nuclear bomb in 1945, followed by the Soviet Union in 1949. Subsequent development by other nations has led to a complex geopolitical landscape.

The possession of nuclear weapons by these states is a central element of deterrence theory, where the threat of mutual destruction is intended to prevent large-scale conflict. However, the existence of these weapons also carries the risk of accidental use, miscalculation, or intentional detonation, which could have catastrophic global consequences.

International efforts to control the spread of nuclear weapons are primarily guided by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and further the goal of nuclear disarmament. However, some nuclear-weapon states are not signatories to the NPT, and others have developed nuclear weapons outside the treaty's framework. The debate surrounding nuclear disarmament and the role of nuclear weapons in global security continues to be a prominent issue in international relations.