Going nuclear? Why a growing number of Washington’s allies are eyeing an alternative to US umbrella

The ‘nuclear club’ currently consists of 9 nations? Could more nations be joining before long?

By: Amy McAuliffe, University of Notre Dame, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 17, 2026

Words: 1,578

Last Updated: 3 months, 2 weeks ago

By Amy McAuliffe, University of Notre Dame

Canadians are openly discussing the merits and risks of pursuing a nuclear weapon. Europeans are similarly considering a nuclear deterrent for the bloc. In South Korea, public support for a nuclear weapon is at its highest level on record, and even in Japan some politicians are talking about the once-taboo subject.

Until just a few years ago, few experts would have predicted that these nations …

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