Although states with nuclear weapons once promised to reduce their arsenals and stop the arms race, they still continue to increase their numbers and invest large amounts of money into the nuclear sector.
One of the reasons is the idea of nuclear deterrence, Wodka-Gallien said.
"Fear of nuclear destruction pushes forward diplomacy. In the 1920s, when nuclear weapons weren't around a coalition was formed that planned to annihilate the Soviet Union. Example of the 20th Century is even more obvious: although Europe was a continent of great thinkers, scientists, artists and humanists, nothing could prevent World War I [as well as World War II for that matter]," Wodka-Gallien said, as cited by Atlantico.
Although nuclear deterrence failed to prevent local, small-scale wars, it was instrumental in preventing large-scale all out total wars between super powers.
"It's not hard to understand their logic: their job is to sell their product. Besides, both in the United States and France, many high-ranking military officials eventually transfer from the army to the defense industry. This gives defense companies connections in the defense ministry," Collin explained, as quoted by Atlantico.
In any case, the process of disarmament initiated by Russians and Americans by the end of the Cold War has officially come to an end. Nuclear weapons have once again become the most "persuasive" argument in lieu of diplomacy, as the recent events showed, both experts said.
