Latest news with #TreatyontheNon-ProliferationofNuclearWeapons
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Most Turkish people say Turkey should obtain nuclear weapons in new poll
A recent survey in Turkey reveals a significant shift in public opinion over nuclear weapons, with a majority of respondents now supporting their development in response to heightened regional tensions, particularly following Israeli strikes on Iran last month. The poll, conducted by Research Istanbul between 1-5 July, surveyed 2,000 people nationwide. Its findings highlight growing insecurity among Turkish citizens regarding national defence and Turkey's ability to withstand potential threats. Despite Turkey being a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) since 1979, which legally prohibits Ankara from developing, acquiring or testing nuclear weapons, 71 percent of respondents believe Turkey should start developing such arms, with only 18 percent opposed. While the Turkish government has made heavy investments in the defence industry in recent years, public confidence regarding air defence systems remains low. Nearly half of those surveyed doubt the effectiveness of Turkey's air defence systems in the event of an attack. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The recent success of Iranian ballistic missiles in penetrating Israel's advanced air defences and causing considerable damage has further fuelled debate within Turkey over the nation's own defensive capabilities. Scepticism also extends to Turkey's alliances. According to the poll, 72 percent of respondents do not believe Nato would effectively defend Turkey if it were attacked. 'Pervasive sense of external threat' 'These findings reflect growing public anxiety amid escalating regional conflicts in the Middle East, the Balkans and the Caucasus,' said Erdi Ozturk, a professor at London Metropolitan University. 'The pervasive sense of external threat is driving Turkish society to consider security measures that were previously taboo, including the pursuit of nuclear deterrence.' Ozturk added that, despite longstanding political divisions, security concerns are increasingly uniting Turkish society around a common mindset. To address immediate concerns over its ageing air fleet, Ankara has recently negotiated deals to purchase F-16 and Eurofighter jets as a stopgap measure until its own fifth-generation aircraft, the Kaan, is delivered - expected as early as 2028. 'Many citizens believe Turkey must rely more heavily on its own military capabilities' - Erdi Ozturk, London Metropolitan University 'Many citizens believe Turkey must rely more heavily on its own military capabilities,' Ozturk explained, 'especially as ongoing negotiations over fighter jets like the F-16 and F-35 fuel public scepticism about the reliability of foreign partners.' Ankara has not yet made any statements or taken any steps indicating research into nuclear weapons. Turkey is currently building its first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, in partnership with Russia's Rosatom. Estimated at costing $20bn, it will consist of four reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts (MW), expected to provide around 10 percent of Turkey's electricity needs when it goes into operation next year. Ozturk further noted that widespread scepticism regarding Nato's willingness or ability to defend Turkey is closely linked to deep-seated anti-American sentiment, which continues to be a significant factor shaping public attitudes toward security and defence policy.
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Extreme agenda': Northern Beaches Greens councillors caught obsessing over woke motions despite slugging ratepayers with massive tax hike
Greens councillors on the Northern Beaches have been caught out proposing a raft of woke motions about international conflicts, treaties and climate change while asking locals to pay 25 per cent more in rates. The Northern Beaches Council, which is dominated by the Teal affiliate group Your Northern Beaches, voted in favour of a 29 per cent rate hike in mid-June, drawing the ire of local residents. The four Northern Beaches Greens councillors who voted in support of the historic rate rise then opted to 'hijack' the same June 17 council meeting and advance a detailed motion titled "support for the Beaches Palestinian community and a ceasefire in Gaza." The motion, advanced by 21 year-old Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak, lobbied for the council to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and boycott companies linked to Israel. Despite raising rates to cover growing costs, the Mr Hrnjak also tried to push the council to write to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and seven other federal government ministers and MPs "advising them of council's position on the issue.' Instead of pushing back against the tax increase, which stands as the largest in the council's history, the Greens spent the majority of their designated speaking time during the meeting expressing solidarity with activist groups including the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network and Medical Aid for Palestinians. 'This council has a duty to speak out. While this may be symbolic, it matters to our community,' Mr Hrnjak said after voting to increase ratepayers annual council bills by $168. Independent councillor Vincent De Luca raised an amendment in response noting there 10,000 foreign conflicts and the local council was "not the appropriate jurisdiction to debate international matters such as international conflicts." The Greens have seperatly tabled a motion for the upcoming July 15 meeting to debate nuclear weapons and to urge the locality to adopt a raft of recommendations including flying the flag of the International Campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons. The motion also calls on Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, the two federal members for the Northern Beaches area, to raise the gesture with the federal government. Ms Scamps and Ms Steggall have already both signed a declaration to the federal government advocating for nuclear non-proliferation. The federal government banned nuclear power as an energy source in the 1990s, is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and is a founding member of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. Instead of interrogating the council allocating $173 million - or 40 per cent of its budget - to fund the salaries of its employees, the Greens councillors put forward a notice of motion on 15 April titled "Clean, Green and Local NSW 2024 Policy Reform". The motion called on the council to "examine the 'Clean, Green and Local NSW 2024' policy platform of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and prepare a high-level summary". The council is guided by the Draft Northern Beaches Environment Study. Councillor Hrnjak introduced another motion at the March 18 meeting named "Condemnation of Modern Slavery" which argued for council to receive a report on the implications of amending the Procurement and Contracts policy to ensure "modern slavery compliance". The vote resulted in an even split, with opposing councillors arguing that Australia has some of the strictest anti-modern slavery laws in the entire world. Mr De Luca railed against the Greens for discarding crucial local issues. He said were instead focused on their 'extreme agenda to dominate local council with international matters that have no concern for local people'. 'The main concern of our everyday citizen is the cost of living, decreasing rates at the Northern Beaches Council and all of the other works that need to be done such as the resealing of roads and yet the Greens are abusing time and resources at council meetings to push their own agenda," Mr De Luca told Mr De Luca, who stands as one of the last points of opposition to the Your Northern Beaches/Greens bloc, labelled the Greens performative stunts in council meetings as 'frustrating' and said they were 'misusing council as a political stepping stone'. Despite Northern Beaches council overseeing an expanding budget, Greens councillors have continued to flood notices of motions calling for repeated reviews into what Mr De Luca claims are secondary issues. Greens councillor Miranda Korzy has submitted a motion for the July 15 meeting lobbying for council to commission a complete review of plastic use in council infrastructure. Mr De Luca said the minor party's councillors were "insulting" Northern Beaches residents who primarily want council to minimise costs and rates. 'The Greens are out of touch with our local community, they voted for the 29 per cent rate increase. If they showed any compassion, they'd be voting against that, instead they are talking about Gaza and they're talking about nuclear weapons disarmament,' he said.
Barnama
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
AMM: Malaysia Has Opportunity To Break SEANWFZ Deadlock, Garner Nuclear-Armed States' Support -- Analysts
By Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's position as ASEAN Chair in 2025 presents a strategic opportunity to reshape the regional security landscape, particularly in ensuring the region remains free of nuclear weapons. This comes in the wake of Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan's recent statement that China and Russia have agreed to sign the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), while the United States is currently reviewing the possibility of becoming a signatory. Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali of the Perdana Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, described the development as a breakthrough, ending nearly two decades of stalemate in efforts to get all five states recognised under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to become signatories. Speaking to Bernama, he said that if all the five states agreed to sign SEANWFZ, it would mark not only a success for ASEAN, but a symbol of Malaysia's respected diplomatic leadership. 'Malaysia has the chance to emerge as a successful facilitator on a critically important global security issue. No ASEAN country has ever achieved such a feat, and it would significantly enhance Malaysia's influence in both regional and global dialogues on disarmament and peace diplomacy,' he said. 'To date, no nuclear-weapon state has signed the SEANWFZ Protocol. Countries such as China, the United States, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom – the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – have yet to sign it,' he added. Tomorrow, the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission (SEANWFZ ExCom) is scheduled to take place alongside the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, which will also be attended by the US, Russia, the UK and China. Mazlan said that successfully securing support from these nations would become a major legacy of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, who is currently seen as a vocal advocate for the Global South on international issues.
Qatar Tribune
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Iran has not agreed to inspections or given up enrichment, says Trump
United States President Donald Trump has said Iran has not agreed to inspections of its nuclear programme or to giving up enriching uranium. He told reporters on board Air Force One on Friday that he believed Tehran's nuclear programme had been 'set back permanently', although he conceded Iran could restart it at a different location. Trump said he would discuss Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the White House on Monday, where a potential Gaza ceasefire is expected to top the agenda. Trump said, as he travelled to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration at the White House, 'I would think they'd have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem.' Trump said he would not allow Tehran to resume its nuclear programme, adding that Iranian officials wanted to meet with him. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday it had pulled out its inspectors from Iran as a standoff deepens over their return to the country's nuclear facilities that were bombed by the US and Israel. The US and Israel say Iran was enriching uranium to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies wanting to produce a nuclear bomb, reiterating for years that its nuclear programme has been for civilian use only. Neither US intelligence nor the UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said they had found any proof that Tehran was building a nuclear weapon. Israel launched its first military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic three weeks ago, with the US intervening on the side of its staunch ally by launching massive strikes on the sites on June 22. The IAEA's inspectors have been unable to inspect Iran's facilities since the beginning of the conflict, even though Grossi has said that it is his top priority. Grossi stressed 'the crucial importance' of holding talks with Iran to resume its monitoring and verification work as soon as possible. In the aftermath of the US and Israeli attacks, Iran, which has said it is still committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), made painfully clear its burgeoning distrust of the IAEA. (Agencies)
Shafaq News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Tehran urges UN to counter ‘reckless' US-Israeli attacks
Shafaq News – Tehran/Oslo On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on the United Nations Security Council to take firm action against the United States and Israel, accusing both countries of violating Iran's sovereignty through recent military strikes, according to a statement. During a phone call with his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, Araghchi denounced the attacks as a grave breach of the UN Charter and peremptory norms of international law. He warned that such actions delivered 'a fatal blow to diplomacy,' especially as they occurred in the midst of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. He underscored his country's determination to defend its rights, affirming that the Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to what he described as 'reckless moves' by Israel or its allies. Araghchi also censured the stance of certain European governments and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), claiming their failure to condemn the assaults contributes to 'a destructive trend that complicates diplomacy and escalates tensions.' While reaffirming Iran's commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Safeguards Agreement, Araghchi further clarified that the recent parliamentary legislation suspending cooperation with the IAEA was a direct response to what he labeled as 'illegal' attacks on the country's peaceful nuclear facilities.
