Author, Nuclear Weapons and International Law: Existential Risks of Nuclear War and Deterrence through a Legal Lens

This week, Ira spoke with Charles J. Moxley Jr., author of “Nuclear Weapons and International Law: Existential Risks of Nuclear War and Deterrence through a Legal Lens.” In this explosive episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Charles talks about what the risks are in eliminating nuclear weapons; how can the  law apply “lawless” nations; why it’s in everyone’s self-interest to adhere to notions of international law; the enduring legacy of MAD (mutual assured distruction); the fallacy of using low-yield nuclear weapons; how to deal with irrational leaders; why the need to harness the potential for survival; how we have chemical and biological conventions; the danger of a “nuclear winter”; why our policies are misguided; proportionate response; and being optimistic about progress.

Charles Moxley teaches nuclear weapons law at Fordham Law School and has written and spoken extensively on the subject.  He is author of the 2000 book, Nuclear Weapons and International Law in the Post Cold War World, the first edition of this book, and co-author of the 2011 article, Nuclear Weapons and Compliance with International Humanitarian Law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in the Fordham International Law Journal. He was faculty lead for the 2020 conference, Nuclear Weapons and International Law, the proceedings of which were published by the Fordham International Law Journal and is faculty lead for the 2023 conference, Nuclear Weapons and International Law, the Renewed Imperative in Light of the Ukraine War, the proceedings of which will be published by the Georgetown Journal of International Law. 

Charles J. Moxley, Jr.  Website