# Spain's Plan to Prevent World War > Spain's actions to stop war escalation through multilateralism and peacebuilding. - Title: Spain's Plan to Prevent World War · Foreign Affairs | Shortify - Summary: Spain's actions to stop war escalation through multilateralism and peacebuilding. - Keywords: spain, maxilateralism, united nations, international law, war prevention, nuclear arms, ai weapons, peacebuilding, united nations security council, international criminal court, gaza conflict, iran conflict - Source: Foreign Affairs — https://foreignaffairs.com/spain/pedro-sanchez-world-last-chance-peace-avert-world-war - Author: Pedro Sánchez - Published: 2026-11-13T05:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: spain, maxilateralism, united nations, international law, war prevention, nuclear arms, ai weapons, peacebuilding, united nations security council, international criminal court, gaza conflict, iran conflict ## The Normalization of War The world has accepted war as inevitable with rising conflicts from Ukraine to Lebanon and Iran. > At the site of a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, October 2.2026 ## Historical Context of Peace Efforts The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 and UN Charter established norms to prohibit war but have weakened. > In 1945, representatives of 50 countries gathered in San Francisco to create the United Nations ## Current War Trends 65 active government conflicts in 2025, double the 2010 number, with 250,000 annual deaths. > According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, there were 65 active conflicts involving governments in 2025 ## Nuclear Arms Expansion China's nuclear arsenal increased from 200 to 620 warheads, North Korea from 10 to 60. > China's nuclear arsenal is estimated to have increased from 200 to 300 warheads in the late 2010s to 620 this year ## AI Weapons Threat AI is automating cyberattacks and deepfakes, increasing risks of nuclear miscalculation. > AI systems have hacked government bodies and enabled the mass production of deepfakes ## Spain's Peace Stance Three of four Spaniards fear war, and many believe another world war is imminent. > Three of four Spaniards identify war as their greatest fear ## Spain's Actions Against War Spain called for Gaza ceasefire, recognized Palestine, and supported ICC accountability. > Spain has actively supported the efforts of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court ## Sanctions and Diplomacy Spain supported EU sanctions on Russia and denied US use of its territory for Iran war. > Spain has denied the United States the use of its territory and facilities for the war against Iran ## Defense Spending Shift Spain opted out of NATO's 5% GDP defense target to fund social programs. > Spain’s decision last year to opt out of NATO’s proposed defense spending target of five percent of GDP ## Multilateral Reform Reforming UN Security Council to include more countries and limit veto power. > A Security Council that gives permanent seats and a right to veto only to the five victors of World War II ## Nuclear Disarmament Efforts Calls for New START treaty successor and Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty. > Some of that work depends on the nuclear powers; it is up to the United States and Russia to negotiate a successor to the bilateral New START treaty ## AI Regulation Need for international rules to prevent AI from escalating nuclear conflicts. > All countries must also work together to regulate the use of AI in the military domain ## International Justice Ensuring ICC can prosecute war crimes and hold leaders accountable. > States that shelter individuals indicted by the ICC should face legal, diplomatic, and financial consequences ## Global Development Focus Spain prioritizes debt relief and climate finance to prevent conflict. > Spain has promoted initiatives such as the Global Hub on Debt for Development Swaps ## The Path Forward Global cooperation is needed to make war unimaginable through peacebuilding. > The question before our generation is whether we will preserve the rule of law or allow a return to rule by force ## Key takeaway Spain is pushing for maxilateralism to prevent war by strengthening international institutions and promoting peace.