The topic of nuclear weaponry is often considered taboo. Taking the first steps in ending nuclear proliferation is a clear opportunity for the United States to demonstrate its diplomatic leadership, and to take a monumental step towards improving its global relations. In order for international security to be maintained, nuclear weapons must be safely eradicated. This, of course, will not be easy, and requires complete international commitment.

The whole point of nukes is that they are capable of immediate, indiscriminate killing. They are a representation of swift and efficient modern day warfare. That’s all right in concept, but nuclear weaponry also present irreversible risks. Despite the billions of dollars the word has spent upgrading its weaponry arsenals, accidents have happened in the past. Big ones. According to Greenpeace, around 50 nuclear weapons have been lost at sea and remain lost. There are too many dangers, too many what-ifs and too many unpredictable circumstances to calculate. The terrifying fact that enough weapons exist to easily demolish the world several times over, makes abolishment a top issue. But why the U.S. and why now? Because waiting and waiting for another country to take the initiative will lead to more dangerous accidents.

In 1968, the five major powers of the time period (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France) and nearly 200 other countries committed to the total elimination of all nuclear weapons. Well, that was about fifty years ago. Today, around 28,000 potent bombs still exist. When you consider that a single bomb is capable of leveling a major city, it’s clear that acceptable progress has not yet been made. The big problem is that while a majority of countries have committed to nuke abolishment, most major nuclear powers are holding onto their weapons for status and safety purposes. Few solid attempts have been made to actually stop the construction of more nuclear weapons. The global attitude towards nukes must be changed now, before it’s too late. All that needs to happen is for nuclear powers to submit to this idea. These tensions bring about harrowing reminders of the Cold War, in which peace was maintained by a crucial balance of power between the Soviet Union and the United States.

What makes nuclear weapons so dangerous is how powerful they are, how many exist and most importantly, how little has been done to completely abolish them. President Barack Obama is willing to make a necessary change. What he needs is the nation to back him up. Holding on to these weapons will provide momentary security, but in the long run, nuclear weapons invite catastrophe.