Just War Theory and Coercive Non-Proliferation: Ethically Evaluating Nuclear Prevention Efforts

Author

• P. Walker Jacklin, University of Mississippi Main CampusFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Public Policy Leadership

First Advisor

Kyle Fritz

Second Advisor

Timothy Nordstrom

Third Advisor

Timothy Yenter

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This thesis examines the ethics of coercively addressing non-nuclear states who are attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons pose a serious danger on a global scale, so ethical analysis should balance these consequences with the coerciveness of state intervention. Just War Theory provides a useful framework that balances these considerations.  Using the criteria of Just War Theory, this thesis examines two 21st century non-proliferation operations: Operation Orchard and Operation Midnight Hammer. I find that Operation Orchard fails the criteria of Just War Theory, while Operation Midnight Hammer satisfies the criteria. Making this determination is ethically risky, however, because our knowledge and intelligence is limited. This shows that even when ethically justified, we should be cautious in coercive intervention to prevent non-nuclear states from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Recommended Citation

Jacklin, P. Walker, "Just War Theory and Coercive Non-Proliferation: Ethically Evaluating Nuclear Prevention Efforts" (2026). Honors Theses. 3567.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3567

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.