Malaysian Model United Nations
Forum:
Disarmament I
Issue:
Addressing the usage of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
for political motives
Student Officer: Haein (Diana) Song
Position:
Deputy President of Disarmament I
Introduction
Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) are extremely dangerous weapons, given their long
range and capacity for delivering nuclear warheads. However, one of the primary purposes for a state to
obtain ICBMs beyond actual use in warfare is political: the presence of ICBMs represents the defensive
and retaliatory capabilities of nations. For example, despite the lack of direct military confrontation in the
Cold War (a period of political and military tension between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union
from the late-1940s to the early-1990s), both sides actively expanded their missile stockpiles as a form
of political rivalry and to achieve greater international influence. States can use the possibility of nuclear
strikes with ICBMs as both political leverage and deterrence against potential attacks, but adopting an
offensive attitude for a defensive purpose can lead to international instability and insecurity. Therefore, it
is increasingly urgent that the international community attempts to curb their production and ensure
secure storage of existing stockpiles.
Definition of Key Terms
Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
guided ballistic missiles with rocket propulsion, primarily designed to deliver nuclear warheads to
ranges of at least 5,500 kilometers
Missile Silo
also known as a launch facility or nuclear silo, a vertical cylindrical underground structure for the
storage and launch of ICBMs
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Strategic Nuclear Weapon
nuclear weapons – often delivered with long-range strategic bombers, Submarine-Launched
Ballistic Missiles, or ICBMs – manufactured to devastate extensive areas beyond the battlefield,
such as metropolises, national infrastructure, or manufacturing areas
Nuclear Terrorism
an act of terrorism involving the use of radioactive materials or nuclear weapons
Background Information
Historical Development
The first attempt to create an ICBM was during World War II. Nazi Germany manufactured the
Aggregate 4 German long-distance ballistic missile attempting to directly attack the US. Despite its
failure, this weapons technology continued to be developed during the Cold War, as the USSR and the
US engaged in a strategic arms race. The USSR created the world's first ICBM, the R-7, in 1957. In
1959, the US responded with the development of its Atlas missile. However, both the R-7 and Atlas
required a liquid propellant which could not be pre-injected, so the weapons had to be prepared more
than 10 hours before launch, allowing the enemy to destroy the missiles before they could be launched.
Through the 1960s, ICBM development accelerated due to advances in science and concerns
over international relations; increasing Cold War tensions were reflected in rapid armament. A new
generation of ICBMs emerged in this period that used solid propellants and more destructive hydrogen
bombs. Additionally, weapons storage silos were built to store weapons more secretly and securely.
This generation of ICBMs include the USSR’s SS series and the US’s Titan and Minuteman. In the
1970s, the US developed the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV), allowing more
than one warhead per missile, leading states to prioritize the quality over quantity for their missiles. In
the 1980s, movable ICBMs were developed to prevent the tracing of launch locations.
Caption #1: The Russian SS-29 Yars movable ICBM
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International Action
In the past three decades, various international agreements on the non-proliferation of ICBMs
have been made. These include the Cold War-era Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and Strategic Arms
Reduction Treaty (START) that limited the missile stockpiles of both the US and the USSR, as well as
more recent United Nations (UN) resolutions targeting the proliferation and testing of missiles. Because
ICBMs are primarily designed for nuclear purposes, international agreements on nuclear weapons in
general are also relevant to the issue at hand. The most well-known is the Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), which prohibited all states except the US, Russia, China, the UK, and France from obtaining
nuclear weapons. In fact, the US and Russia have had nuclear weapons before the establishment of the
UN, however they have not destroyed their weapons although the UN regulated a number of resolution
on non-proliferation until these days. There is tacit approval from other member states of those five
countries’ nuclear weapons possession; even if others do not stand for their possession, there is a slim
possibility due to those are permanent member states of the UN which have veto-power and they do not
intend to give up their rights to have nuclear weapons.
Security Concerns
Despite these efforts, there have been many recent global security threats involving ICBMs. The
most significant of these is the India-Pakistani conflict – an ongoing rivalry between the two South Asian
powers since Pakistan declared independence from India in 1947. Neither being party to the NPT, both
nations are engaged in an arms race reminiscent of the Cold War era and are actively developing
nuclear weapons and missile technology.
In 2015, India tested its Agni IV ICBM; with Chinese
assistance, Pakistan is responding with its own series of long-range ballistic missiles.
Another major security threat involves North Korea, a state in possession of nuclear weapons
and relevant missile technologies which it has developed and used despite international condemnation.
North Korea has recently claimed to have developed ICBMs capable of reaching the US, even
threatening to attack President Donald Trump’s inauguration. However, some military experts, given the
lack of information on North Korea’s missile technology, remain skeptical about whether North Korea’s
missiles can actually reach the 5,500 kilometer mark to be classified as an ICBM. Nevertheless, North
Korea's potential to continue to develop long-range missile technologies makes it an important factor.
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Caption #2: BBC’s estimate of North Korea’s missile ranges (estimates vary across sources)
Aside from international hostilities, another critical security concern with regards to ICBMs and
nuclear weapons is the security of existing stockpiles, an issue that has seen increasing international
attention in past decades. Countries without proper security measures for their nuclear weapons and
missiles, apart from the possibility of nuclear accidents, are also vulnerable to the theft of nuclear
materials and ICBM technology. The consequent proliferation of these weapons under the control of
non-state actors, particularly terrorist organizations, is a grave concern. The danger of nuclear terrorism
lies in the fact that, due to their non-state status, there is no practical target for retaliation; hence,
deterrence is not sufficient to prevent first-strikes by terrorist groups.
Therefore, the most feasible
method of preventing nuclear terrorism is the improvement of stockpile security.
Timeline of Events
The development of ICBMs began with WWII. As more destructive weapons have been
manufactured, the UN and its Member States have continued non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.
Nevertheless, nuclear tests and the manufacture of ICBMs continues.
Date
Description of event
August 21, 1957
The first ICBM is manufactured by the USSR and discharged in Kazakhstan
1959
The US invents the first ICBM called SM-65 Atlas
1960s
The US and the USSR compete for better ICBM technology
5 August 1963
1 July 1968
The Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) is signed by the US, USSR, and
UK; 123 states have become party to the treaty
The NPT is signed in New York; currently, with the exceptions of India, Pakistan,
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North Korea, Israel, and South Sudan, all countries are party to the treaty
1970s
The US develops MIRV technology
July 3, 1974
The Limitation of Underground Nuclear Weapon Tests and Protocol Thereto
Treaty between the USA and the USSR (TTBT) is signed in Moscow
1980s
Movable ICBM development begins
31 July 1991
START is signed by the US and USSR
November 2015
India conducts Agni-IV ICBM tests
January 2017
North Korea claims that it would soon conduct ICBM tests
UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events
Over the past decades, in comparison with other armaments, there has been limited UN
involvement in the issue of ICBMs; most existing resolutions only tackle the question of ICBMs in relation
to other issues. As the result, there are have been more bilateral or multilateral treaties that took place
outside typical UN frameworks.

Condemning Acts of Terror, 28 September 2001 (S/RES/1373)

Proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, 28 April 2004 (S/RES/1540)

Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 9 June 2010 (S/RES/1929)

Resolution 2231, 20 July 2015 (S/RES/2231)

Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water Treaty
(PTBT), August 5, 1963

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT), 1 July 1968

Limitation of Underground Nuclear Weapon Tests and Protocol Thereto Treaty (TTBT), 3 July
1974

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), 31 July 1991
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