Apr 14, 2017 click here for a printable pdf version. Believing that the proliferation of nuclear weapons would seriously enhance the danger of nuclear war, in conformity with resolutions of the united nations general assembly calling for the. The first section briefly presents what we know about which states developed nuclear weapons and which states started but abandoned weapons development programs. Pdf the causes of nuclear weapons proliferation researchgate. Pardee center for the study of the longerrange future. Diverse opinions exist about the determinants of proliferation and the policy options to alter proliferation incentives.
In 1965, the geneva disarmament conference began consideration of a draft nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Swedens lessons for assessing iran by eric arnett p olicymakers, journalists, and researchers often write or speak as if security concerns alone determine states decisions whether or not to acquire nuclear weapons. Countries that joined the npt agreed to take these actions. The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the non proliferation treaty or npt, is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. Determinants of nuclear weapons proliferation jstor. The first section briefly presents what we know about which. The history of the future of nuclear weapons by moeed yusuf fellow, frederick s. Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, and deploying additional nuclear weapons and new types of delivery vehicles.
Nuclear weapons make use of one or two forms of interacons between atoms. The nuclearweapon states recognized under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty the united states 1945. Most recent reports have focused on the nuclear efforts of iran and north. I conclude with implications for nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation policies. Nuclear weapons were essential to maintaining international security during the cold war because they were a means of deterrence.
In hindsight, a number of the premises of the 1970 treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt seem less than optimal. The three main aspects of the npt are nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Most argue that nuclear proliferation will destabilize the world and increase the risk of nuclear war. Not least among these challenges is the possibility that the pursuit of nuclear weapons or a nuclear option by. Pakistans nuclear weapons congressional research service summary pakistans nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 110 nuclear warheads, although it could have more. And if he believes that expediency calls for the acquisition, deployment, or use of nuclear weapons, religious prinmichael eisenstadt and mehdi khalaji nuclear fatwa. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt background. The department of energys doe national nuclear security administration nnsa manages the nuclear weapons stockpile and supports nonproliferation efforts. Strategies of nuclear proliferation strategies of nuclear. Under the 1970 treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclearweapon states are obliged to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as nuclear weapon states by the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the non proliferation treaty or npt. The nuclear nonproliferation treaty at 50 shareamerica. The conference completed its negotiations in 1968, and on july 1, 1968, the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt was opened for signature. He is not constrained by his previous fatwas, which he can alter or reverse, or the opinions of other mujtahids islamic jurists.
Nuclear proliferation is greatly enhancing the likelihood of nuclear war. The treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the iaea, which also plays a central role under the treaty in areas of technology transfer for peaceful purposes. Analysts of international politics have debated heatedly over the likely consequences of the spread of nuclear weapons. Nuclear fatwa the washington institute for near east policy. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt. Nuclear weapons in the new era of new geopolitics directors summary since the end of the cold war, more attention has been given to. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt created date. Japan, south korea, and egypt executive summary nuclear activity in north korea and iran presents numerous challenges to the global nonproliferation regime.
And if he believes that expediency calls for the acquisition, deployment, or use of nuclear weapons, religious prin. Intuitively, security is the most important factor driving nuclear acquisition. The npt aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons done. The vicious circle of proliferation started with todays staunchest non proliferation exponent. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons wikipedia. Nuclear proliferation and the npt by ilkka pastinen. Treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons done.
Nuclear weapons continue to be equally hazardous to their owners as to their potential targets. Nuclear weapons were essential to maintaining international security during the cold war because they were a. Nuclear proliferation case studies appendix to safeguards to prevent nuclear proliferation updated march 2019 north korea made weapons grade plutonium using a research reactor and a reprocessing plant in defiance of its npt obligations. Several other nato countries control nuclear weapons produced by weaponstates under the nonproliferation treaty npt. Diverse opinions exist about the determinants of proliferation and the policy option. The treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the iaea, which also plays a central role. The link between russian organized crime and nuclear. Nuclear weapons proliferation is a topic of intense interest and concern among both academics and policy makers. Others counter that the threat of nuclear war is enough to convince new nuclear nations to adopt prudent security policies. Under the 1970 treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon states are obliged to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. Treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt created date. Fully updated and revised since its initial publication, nuclear weapons and nonproliferation, second edition explores all key issues related to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and efforts to curb them, from the u. This ncnk issue brief addresses technical and strategic issues related to north koreas nuclear weapons program, looking at issues including the countrys fissile material production, the size and sophistication of its nuclear arsenal, and the strategic doctrine and possible goals of its nuclear weapons program.
I highlight the problems that result from uncertainty about the accuracy and completeness of the data. Determinants of nuclear weapons proliferation dongjoon. The treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the nonproliferation treaty npt is the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. The nonproliferation aspect is the foundation of the npt. Nuclear proliferation, proliferation, nuclear although recent events pose serious challenges to international efforts to limit the global spread of nuclear weapons, the non nuclear nonproliferation treaty, nuclear nonproliferation treaty the nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt is the only legally binding multilateral agreement that. The causes of nuclear weapons proliferation annual. The treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons also known as the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, or npt is an international agreement designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote cooperation between states on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and advance nuclear disarmament. Introduction in december 1991, the soviet union, the nation that had opposed the united states in a monumental cold war lasting for more than fifty years, abruptly collapsed. The consequences of nuclear proliferation the mit press. The term is also used to refer to the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by terrorist organizations or other armed groups. Nuclear proliferation, the spread of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons technology, or fissile material to countries that do not already possess them. Agencies dealing with nuclear materials face critical management challenges.
Policy the role of nuclear weapons the fundamental role of u. In contrast to the limited publication policy when the full text of an agreement may not be reproduced in the unts in its entirety, the objective of applying the partial publication method to a particular situation is to speed up the publishing effort by e. In doing so, this article provides a fresh lens with which to analyze nuclear proliferation, highlighting that the way in which a state pursues nu. Kenneth waltz, dean of realist theory in international relations at columbia university, expands on his argument. A nuclear weapon is a explosive device that uses a controlled uncontrolled nuclear chain reacon to release huge amounts of energy. The nuclear weapon states recognized under the nuclear non proliferation treaty the united states 1945. London, moscow and washington july 1, 1968 opened for signature. Scientists first developed nuclear weapons technology during world war ii. An updated edition of abcclios classic reference book on nuclear arms programs and proliferation in nations around the world. Detailed discussion is found on wikipedias list of nuclear weapons states. Nuclear proliferation case studies world nuclear association. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons iaea.
Doe addresses contamination at nuclear weapons production sites through its office of environmental management. The link between russian organized crime and nuclearweapons. The fourteen impact of nuclear weapons on international relations. Nuclear proliferation the role and regulation of corporations joshua masters as the potential for the involvement of corporations in the manufacture of nuclear weapons has increased, particularly through dualuse technology, global regulation has failed to keep pace. Nuclear weapons in the new era of new geopolitics directors summary since the end of the cold war, more attention has been given to nuclear non. Israel has never actually admitted having nuclear weapons, but is widely accused of having many bbc. The nuclearweapon states recognized under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Download this chapter pdf or read more about world opinion on proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Pdf nuclear weapons proliferation is at the top of the news these days. The vicious circle of proliferation started with todays staunchest nonproliferation exponent. Taylor, a former nuclear weapons designer, received the us atomic energy commissions 1965 lawrence memorial award and was deputy director of the defense nuclear agency. In a nod to the early bird gets the nuke, it temporarily legitimised the arsenals of the five countries that had already developed nuclear weapons. The conference completed its negotiations in 1968, and on july 1, 1968, the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt was opened for signature. The fuel and byproduct of lightwater nuclear power. In hindsight, a number of the premises of the 1970 treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt seem less than optimal.
In accordance with article ix, paragraph 1, the treaty was open to all states for signature on july 1, 1968 until its entry into force. By volha charnysh, napf intern from nuclear proliferation. A debate renewed, professors waltz and sagan resume their wellknown dialogue concerning nuclear proliferation and the threat of nuclear war. Determinants of nuclear weapons proliferation dongjoon jo. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons if you would like to learn more about the iaeas work, sign up for our weekly updates containing our most important news, multimedia and more. Feb 27, 2020 the treaty, which entered into force march 5, 1970, is the fundamental internationally binding agreement aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation and has the broadest support of any nuclear related treaty in history. The emergence of nuclear weapons has been a source of a big impact on the international power structure. Introduction in december 1991, the soviet union, the nation that had opposed the united states in a monumental cold war lasting for. Impact of nuclear weapons on international relations. The treaty, which entered into force march 5, 1970, is the fundamental internationally binding agreement aimed at curbing nuclear proliferation and has the broadest support of any nuclearrelated treaty in history. Believing that the proliferation of nuclear weapons would seriously enhance the. The atomic bomb, and nuclear bombs, are powerful weapons that use nuclear reactions as their source of explosive energy. In 2006, 2009, 20 and 2016 it exploded five nuclear devices.
Strategies of nuclear proliferation mit political science. Proliferation and terrorism chains, cascades, dominoes, waves, avalanches, epidemics, and points of no return have proved faulty. It dramatically increases the number of scenarios for smallscale nuclear wars or nuclear. Upon its conclusion in 1968, the treaty on the nonproliteration of nuclear weapons npt was acclaimed.
601 436 32 385 103 1075 935 1085 172 605 1122 582 1097 165 1363 793 1309 1354 1340 921 21 1031 1279 965 1506 371 1029 635 53 1351 22 729 561 1311 976 1172 1056 1198 573