Introduction
One of the most serious threats to world stability today is the proliferation of nuclear weapons; however, until recently either the U.S. or the world community has paid little attention to it. The war with Iraq has brought this problem to the world's attention. One reason for this lack of attention in the past was the fact that none of the countries attempting to obtain nuclear weapons had stated so publicly. "No new country, for example, has openly declared that it has acquired nuclear arms since 1964, when the People's Republic of China joined as the fifth country to announce that it possessed such weapons.”
The countries, which have been attempting to obtain these weapons, have done so in secrecy. By hiding their nuclear programs, they have given the impression that they are not interested in nuclear weapons. "When apparent nuclear weapon related activities have been discovered in these countries, the activities have been explained away under the guise of a nuclear power program, and rarely have they resulted in sustained international concern. (Roberts, 1998)
The Non-proliferation Regime according to Jennifer Scarlott in her article "Nuclear Proliferation After the Cold War," the network of treaties, export controls, safeguards, and inspections designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons is in an advanced state of decay. The non-proliferation regime consists of:
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formed in 1957,
- The Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) that went into effect in 1968 with over 150 signatures, and
- The export controls that went into effect in the early 1920s.
Historical overview and strategic remarks on the NPT
The NPT dates back to 1968 and is the result of a few significant events in the history of nuclear-deterrent use by the two superpowers. It is also the result of a mounting......
