kjarnanotkun

Kjarnanotkun refers to the deliberate use or potential use of nuclear weapons in armed conflict, including the political and military decisions that lead to deployment and the policies intended to deter or constrain such use. In military doctrine, it is linked to deterrence, escalation control, and second-strike capability, as well as to strategic decision-making in crises. Some theorists advocate minimal deterrence or disarmament, arguing that reducing or eliminating arsenals lowers risk for all states. In international law, the issue is governed by arms-control regimes and humanitarian law. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) aims to prevent spread and promote disarmament; the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits nuclear testing, though not all states have ratified it; the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) prohibits possession and use but is not universally adopted by nuclear-armed states. International humanitarian law imposes constraints on the use of weapons in war, emphasizing distinction, proportionality, and precautions to avoid civilian harm. The topic remains contested: assessments of legality and morality vary, and concerns about accidental or unauthorized launches, regional escalation, and long-term environmental damage sustain calls for restraint and disarmament. Historical use of nuclear weapons in World War II demonstrated catastrophic humanitarian consequences and shaped subsequent policy. Ongoing modernization and geopolitical tensions influence current debates about kjarnanotkun and the effectiveness of non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.