Policy paper based on proposal
Duong 1
Duong 2
Nuclear Proliferation
Policy Proposal Paper
Ngoc Duong
GOVT2305 Spring 2020
Prof. J. Mark Skorick
Word count (264)
International concern about nuclear proliferation has rapidly increased since the end of the Cold War (Karl). In the 1960s it was widely assumed that there would be 30-35 nuclear weapons states by the turn of the century (World Nuclear Association). Even more troubling, this threat is only one of several risks imposed on humanity by the existence of nuclear weapons (Panofsky). These risks fall into three classes: the risk that some fraction, be it large or small, of the inventories of nuclear weapons held by eight countries will be detonated either by accident or deliberately; the risk that nuclear weapons technology will diffuse to additional nations; and the risk that nuclear weapons will reach the hands of terrorist individuals or groups (Panofsky). The Treaty on the Non – Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) entered into force on March 5, 1970, with 43 Parties, including three of the five nuclear-weapon states: The Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States (U.S. Delegation to the 2010 NPT Review Conference, 2010). While accepting safeguards at declared facilities, Iraq and Iran had set up elaborate equipment elsewhere in an attempt to enrich uranium, in Iraq's case, to weapons grade; North Korea used research reactors (not commercial electricity-generating reactors) and a reprocessing plant to produce some weapons-grade plutonium (WNA). This policy paper will mention the optimism and pessimism of the proliferation, in addition to pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the NPT. It will find out various ways to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons so that the pact between countries will be closer and lead to peace.
Works Cited
Panofsky, Wolfgang K.H. “Nuclear Proliferation Risks, New and Old.” Issues in Science and Technology, vol. XIX, no. 4, Summer 2003, issues.org/panofsky/
Karl, David J. “Proliferation pessimism and emerging nuclear powers.” International Security. Winter96/97, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p87. 33p. EBSCOhost,
“Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation” Safeguards to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation, September 2018, www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/non-proliferation/safeguards-to-prevent-nuclear-proliferation.aspx
Extra source:
“Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapon” U.S. Delegation to the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference, 2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/141503.pdf