Weapons of peace or war crimes? Revisiting the historical narrative of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have significantly shaped our collective understanding of nuclear weapons as tools of warfare and instruments of deterrence. Historically, the bombings in 1945 have been credited with bringing an end to World War II, supposedly saving millions of lives by averting a prolonged conflict. Such claims can be challenged. Furthermore, questions linger about the moral and ethical dimensions of these actions, as emphasized by established theorists who propose that the memory of these events serves as a self-deterrent for future great power wars. However, this leaves a critical, often overlooked discussion on the portrayal of nuclear weapons as instruments of security and peace and whether this interpretation holds merit in today's geopolitical landscape.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the premises and implications of the persistent legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on contemporary perceptions of nuclear weapons use. It questions whether the widely-held belief that these actions helped reduce fatalities in the war is factually correct or whether such actions hold against modern principles of ethics, international humanitarian law, and peacekeeping. The study also delves into the impact of these historical interpretations on current disarmament efforts and the feasibility and legitimacy of the nuclear deterrence strategy in an era where proliferation poses significant global risks.

To gather further insights into these complex issues, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Re-evaluation of the historical interpretations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- The effectiveness and ethical and legal implications of using nuclear weapons against civilian populations.
- The influence of past nuclear events on modern deterrence and arms control policies.
- Analysis of nuclear proliferation risks and opportunities in contemporary geopolitics.
- Interdisciplinary approaches to the legacy of nuclear weapons use and its impact on peace and conflict studies.

Contributions are encouraged across diverse fields and methodologies to stimulate a multifaceted discussion on this pivotal topic. Article types can include original research, reviews, and theoretical papers.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, nuclear weapons, peace studies, arms control, legacy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.