Beating swords into plowshares has...
Illustration
Beating swords into plowshares has been a difficult task in the world. The tragic reminder of the fragile state of peace, September 11, 2001, brought the importance of peace to the fore. But, how is peace achieved?
The United Nations is one organization that strives for peace. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was opened for signatures on July 1, 1968 and entered into force on March 5, 1970. 188 countries have signed this treaty. Not so successful is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban (CTBT). This treaty was opened for signature on September 24, 1996, and will be entered into force when the 45 nations identified in another document, sign the agreement. To date, forty nations have signed, and substantial as that is, the treaty is still not in force. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC) was opened for signature on April 10, 1972. It entered into force on March 26, 1975. However, lack of a formal regime to monitor compliance to BWC limits its effectiveness.
The daily news is evidence that despite efforts of many nations, there still remain swords that need to be turned into plowshares.
The United Nations is one organization that strives for peace. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was opened for signatures on July 1, 1968 and entered into force on March 5, 1970. 188 countries have signed this treaty. Not so successful is the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban (CTBT). This treaty was opened for signature on September 24, 1996, and will be entered into force when the 45 nations identified in another document, sign the agreement. To date, forty nations have signed, and substantial as that is, the treaty is still not in force. The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC) was opened for signature on April 10, 1972. It entered into force on March 26, 1975. However, lack of a formal regime to monitor compliance to BWC limits its effectiveness.
The daily news is evidence that despite efforts of many nations, there still remain swords that need to be turned into plowshares.
