How is nuclear weaponry governed?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  To begin with, why are they called nuclear weapons? 

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  • A.
    Nuclear fission was first observed inside the nucleus of a yeast cell. 
  • B.
    Their explosive energy is released when the nucleus of an atom is split apart, releasing vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.  
  • C.
    They are powered by nuclear plants. 
  • D.
    Their blast radius is calculated by using a unit called nuclei.
• 2.
  Which countries in the world possess nuclear weapons? 

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  • A.
    The United States, and Russia  
  • B.
    Russia, The United States, France, China, The United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and DPR Korea 
  • C.
    The United States, Russia, and China 
  • D.
    None of the above, the use of nuclear weapons is controlled by the United Nations Security Council 
• 3.
  Is any country allowed to acquire new nuclear weapons nowadays?

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  • A.
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    Yes, nations are able to acquire any weapons they want. They are only limited by their technical capacity. 
  • B.
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    Yes, but only if following a UN controlled process. That is the reason why most nuclear warheads are very old. 
  • C.
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    No, there is in fact a ban. The Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been signed by 166 countries. The treaty recognises five nuclear powers (The US, Russia, The UK, France, and China), and prohibits the spread of nuclear weapons to all others. Nations not following the NPT face sanctions. 
  • D.
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    No, there is a ban in force. The United Nations even regulates how knowledge of nuclear fission may be used by scientists, in order to curtail its use in weapons. 
• 4.
  Are nations allowed to do nuclear tests?

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  • A.
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    Yes. Nuclear tests are allowed, but only for developing energy for civilian purposes. 
  • B.
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    No, but the nuclear powers could use several exceptions in the treaties to conduct tests anyway. 
  • C.
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    No. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, signed and ratified by 166 states, forbids all kinds of nuclear test explosions. It was adopted by the UN on 10 September 1996. 
  • D.
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    Yes, nuclear tests are allowed. The reason most countries do not conduct nuclear tests is because they are much too expensive nowadays. 
• 5.
  Which of these nations has disarmed its nuclear weapons? 

  • A.
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    Sweden
  • B.
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    Germany
  • C.
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    Iran
  • D.
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    South Africa
• 6.
  What can the UN's independent technical organisation the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) do to enforce compliance?

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  • A.
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    The IAEA can use its standing military force to stop nations from developing nuclear weapons.
  • B.
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    The agency can enforce treaties on nuclear weapons through sanctions towards an offending country.
  • C.
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    IAEA’s Director General can write a letter of intent, thus forcing any member country of the organisation to open its nuclear facilities for inspection. 
  • D.
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    The IAEA cannot enforce compliance to treaties controlling the use of nuclear weapons. It can only inspect declared facilities through announced inspections. 
• 7.
  On 7 July 2017 the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was passed by the UN General Assembly. What is its current status?

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  • A.
    Developing, possessing and deploying nuclear weapons is now banned to all UN members signing the treaty
  • B.
    The treaty has still to come into force, as so far too few nations signing the treaty have ratified it
  • C.
    The treaty will be used to help establish nuclear-weapon-free zones all over the world
  • D.
    The treaty is going to decided upon by the UN Security Council in a vote subject to the veto of the Permanent Members

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Novice

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  Now you have the opportunity to learn more. Have you considered scaling up your skills even further? Nuclear security governance is one shape of international cooperation. How much do you know about other shapes? Take another quiz and increase your knowledge. The Global Challenges Foundation aims to promote the development of global decision-making models capable of more effectively and equitably mitigating and, preferably, eliminating the major global catastrophic risks threatening humanity. Visit https://globalchallenges.org to learn more about GCF’s work and join the Shapemaker community today.
• 2.
  Proficient

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  Good going! You have built up quite some knowledge about nuclear weapons. Have you considered scaling up your skills even further? Nuclear security governance is one shape of international cooperation. How much do you know about other shapes? Take another quiz and increase your knowledge. The Global Challenges Foundation aims to promote the development of global decision-making models capable of more effectively and equitably mitigating and, preferably, eliminating the major global catastrophic risks threatening humanity. Visit https://globalchallenges.org to learn more about GCF’s work and join the Shapemaker community today.
• 3.
  Expert

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  Congratulations! You're an expert. Have you considered scaling up your skills even further? Nuclear security governance is one shape of international cooperation. How much do you know about other shapes? Take another quiz and increase your knowledge. The Global Challenges Foundation aims to promote the development of global decision-making models capable of more effectively and equitably mitigating and, preferably, eliminating the major global catastrophic risks threatening humanity. Visit https://globalchallenges.org to learn more about GCF’s work and join the Shapemaker community today.