Representatives from the 187 signatories to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty convene in New York today to assess the status of that treaty. Every five years that gather for one month; this year's meeting promises to be especially acrimonious. Since the last such forum, India and Pakistan have exploded nuclear bombs, and the nuclear powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- have made scant progress in reducing their nuclear arsenals. The disarmament drive needs a renewed push; without it, the entire movement could collapse.
In its simplest terms, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is a bargain. The nuclear "have-nots" abandoned their nuclear ambitions in exchange for safe nuclear technology and a commitment by the five nuclear "haves" to eventually disarm themselves. The "have-nots" have abided by their pledge; the nuclear powers have not.
Controversy is not new to the review conference. Only two of the previous five sessions produced a final document that all parties could agree on. This year could be more contentious than ever, however.