By Vineet Malik | June 12, 2023 | Washington D.C, United States of America
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) report reveals the dirty and unknown secret of the nuclear weapons industry where, billions of dollars continue to be frittered away on illegal weapons of mass destruction to maintain an industry dedicated to the deadly theory of nuclear deterrence
In June last year in Vienna, Austria more than sixty states parties to “The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” (TPNW) discussed the continuing and non-reversible impact of production and development of nuclear weapons.
The nine nuclear-armed states have been allegedly blamed for possessing the tools of terror and intimidation supported by a mythical tale of deterrence that is rapidly unravelling.
In a disquieting disclosure by ICAN today, nine nuclear-armed states in 2022 not only spent whopping $82.9 billion towards building and maintaining such lethal weapons with a potential to end global civilization but also made the world’s biggest corporates earn $29 billion.
The United States of America (USA) spent more than all of other nuclear-armed states combined at $43.7 billion.
World’s Biggest Companies earned Contracts worth $29 Billion in 2022
In 2022, $15.9 billion worth new contracts were awarded to these companies. These companies further invested some of their earnings in lobbying governments, spending $113 million in the USA and France.
The ICAN report says nuclear-armed countries have contracts with companies to produce weapons totaling $278.6 billion that continues in some cases through 2040.
World’s Top Think Tanks received between $21.1 and 35.6 Million from Nuclear Weapons proliferating companies and nuclear-armed countries in 2022
Nuclear weapons proliferating companies and countries that possess or endorse them support world’s top think tanks.
The report says not all think tanks among those featured here disclose their funding. Current Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), executives or Board Members from these lobbying companies or leaders of such countries hold advisory board positions or serving as Board of Directors in these think tanks.
The report went on to raise a question mark on the integrity of these think tanks claiming to be independent and objective. Their credibility is undermined as they accept funding from companies and countries with vested interests in building more weapons of mass destruction.
Till these think continue to receive such contributions from such sources, their readers should question them for getting influenced by their funders.
Irresponsible Conduct of Nuclear Armed States
The report finally criticized the irresponsible conduct of all nuclear-armed states squandering money on weapons of mass destruction that can end global civilization and emphasized the importance of joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by all countries to prohibit the development and maintenance of nuclear weapons and prevent their eventual use by ensuring their elimination.
The comprehensive report published by ICAN can be read here.
About ICAN
ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organisations in one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty. This landmark global agreement was adopted in New York on 7 July 2017. The campaign was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2017, for their "groundbreaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition" of nuclear weapons. More information can be found at www.icanw.org.
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