Guide Note

Nuclear Proliferation refers to the spread of the technology behind nuclear weapons to nations not recognized by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NTP). There are five states recognized by the NTP as "nuclear weapon states." All other states that develop or trade nuclear weapon technology are considered in violation of the treaty.

Nuclear Weapon States

Nuclear Proliferates

Timeline

1957: IAEA created help nations develop peaceful nuclear energy
1968: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty opened for signature

Mutually Assured Destruction

Some argue that nonproliferation creates an imbalance of power that leads to an environment of international insecurity. Scholar Kenneth Waltz posits that total proliferation of nuclear weapons would establish a logic of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) similar to the stalemate of the Cold War. MAD logic argues that nations would be less likely to pursue territorial or power goals if they knew it could lead to Nuclear Armageddon.

Categories

News | International Relations | Diplomacy | Nuclear Proliferation

View Note History

Nuclear Proliferation

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Nuclear Proliferation
National Science Digital Library: Nuclear Files
Nobelprize.org: "The Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons"
PBS: "Tracking Nuclear Proliferation" - Interactive Guide
United Nations: Disarmament Issues
International Atomic Energy Agency: IAEA and the NPT
Video: China Nuclear Test

Nuclear Proliferation Recent News Stories

Google News Search: Nuclear Proliferation
Carnegie Endowment: Nonproliferation news
FOX News: Russia Denies Plans to Sell New Missile Defense System to Iran (2007)
FOX News: Russia Selling Iran Sophisticated New Air Defense System (2007)
Arms Control Association: Next Steps in Dealing With Excess Plutonium (2007)
CNN: Rice calls North Korean deal "important first step" (2007)
PBS: Iran Announces 'Industrial Scale' Enrichment' (2007)
Beijing Review: "Battling Nuclear Proliferation" (2007)
Boston.com: "Doomsday Clock edges toward midnight" (2007)

Nuclear Proliferation Background

Nuclear Files: The Non-Proliferation Treaty
Wikipedia: Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) and Dual-use Technology
PBS: Guide to International Treaties (2005)
Asia Times: "Iran, North Korea and Proliferation" (2004)
U.S. Department of State: "Nuclear Weapons and Rogue States" (2003)

Nuclear Proliferation Commentary and Criticism

Guardian Unlimited: "We don't need Trident, we need a whole new plan"
Chomsky.info: Solution in Sight
Counterpunch.org: U.S. Nuclear Hypocrisy and Iran
Foreign Affairs: "Time for Détente With Iran"

Nuclear Proliferation Message Boards and Blogs

Taylor Marsh: Toward a More Unstable World
Comment is Free: Sleepwalking towards nuclear proliferation
BLACKFIVE: Iran and Nuclear Proliferation
Technorati: Nuclear Proliferation

Nuclear Proliferation Central Organizations

Nuclear Proliferation Videos

Revver Blog: Nuclear Weapons Transparency
Google Video: Israel's Secret Weapon
YouTube & Google Video: Nuclear Proliferation Search

Related Searches

Nuclear Proliferation | Russian Withdrawal From CFE Treaty | Iran Nuclear Crisis | U.S. Conflict with North Korea | Nuclear Weapons | International Atomic Energy Agency