International security and vulnerability to nuclear attack for non-NATO European Union States

An analysis of emergency plans for civil protection

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62155/eirene.v7i12.245

Keywords:

Nuclear weapons, Emergency plans, NATO, European Union, Disarmament

Abstract

The article studies the non-NATO member states of the European Union that are vulnerable because they share a border region with NATO members that may suffer a hypothetical attack with nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict with one or more adversary states. The paper analyzes linked legal provisions between NATO and the Charter of the United Nations for maintaining international peace and security in the context of the risk to the European region as a battlefield. The research identified nuclear ballistic capabilities in reaching the European region and NATO strategic locations. The focus of the study is the analysis of the emergency response plans for the civilian population of the five non-NATO European Union states in the event of a nuclear eventuality near their borders with NATO states. The work identified disparity in emergency response preparedness among the analyzed States. The conclusions expose the vulnerability of the region and the importance of emergency plans, which still show gaps to be addressed, reiterating the primordiality of promoting disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

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Author Biographies

Joshua Torres Sandoval, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Doctoral Degree in Global Development Studies from the School of Economics and International Relations of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). B.A. in International Relations. Research Professor at the School of Law of the UABC. Member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) Level 1 and has Prodep recognition. Lines of research: nuclear disarmament and international law. Recent publication: Torres Sandoval, J. (2022). Protection of border regions-cities located between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States: new norms in international law. Estudios Fronterizos, 22, e098. https:// doi.org/10.21670/ref.2214098.

Elizabeth García Ramírez, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Professor of International Relations at the School of Economics and International Relations (FEyRI) of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). Master in American Studies at the University of Seville, Spain as a scholarship holder of the Carolina Foundation. B.A. in International Relations from the FEyRI of the UABC. Research interests: diplomacy, international cooperation for development, society and culture.

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Published

2024-01-14

How to Cite

Torres Sandoval, J., & García Ramírez, E. (2024). International security and vulnerability to nuclear attack for non-NATO European Union States: An analysis of emergency plans for civil protection. Eirene Studies of Peace and Conflicts, 7(12), 23–52. https://doi.org/10.62155/eirene.v7i12.245

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 12 (2024): January-June 2024

Section

Artículos

ARK

https://n2t.net/ark:/48568/eirene.v7.n12.245

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Copyright (c) 2023 Joshua Torres Sandoval, Elizabeth García Ramírez

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