Nuclear proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear technology to countries that do not already have them.

Nuclear weapons: The different types and capabilities of nuclear weapons, including delivery means (missiles, submarines, bombers) and yield (megatons, kilotons).

Nuclear states: The countries that possess nuclear weapons or have nuclear capabilities, such as the United States, Russia, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan, Israel, France, and the United Kingdom.

Arms control agreements: The history and status of major arms control agreements, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

Proliferation challenges: The main challenges facing efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, including states pursuing nuclear weapons, terrorists seeking to acquire nuclear materials, and the potential for accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.

Nonproliferation policies: The policies and strategies that have been adopted by governments and international organizations to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, including sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and incentives.

Nuclear energy: The relationship between peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the proliferation of nuclear weapons, including the risks associated with nuclear power plants, and the potential for diversion of materials to weapons programs.

International institutions: The role of international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in monitoring and regulating nuclear activities.

Regional tensions: The nuclear proliferation challenges and risks associated with regional conflicts and tensions, such as those in the Middle East, South Asia, and the Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear terrorism: The potential threat of terrorists acquiring nuclear materials or weapons and the efforts to prevent such a scenario.

Future trends: Current and potential future trends in nuclear proliferation, including the role of emerging technologies, the potential for new nuclear states, and the changing geopolitical landscape.

Horizontal proliferation: This refers to the spread of nuclear weapons from one country to another.

Vertical proliferation: This refers to a country increasing its nuclear firepower by enhancing the quality and quantity of its existing nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

Asymmetric proliferation: This refers to one state developing nuclear weapons or nuclear capability in response to a perceived threat posed by a more powerful nuclear-armed state.

Nuclear breakout: This refers to a state that is signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) acquiring nuclear weapons capability without withdrawing from the NPT.

Nuclear latency: This refers to a state that has the capability to develop nuclear weapons but has opted not to do so, at least not publicly.

Nuclear disarmament proliferation: This refers to the disposition of nuclear weapons materials or technology to non-nuclear states, especially through disarmament agreements.

Nuclear black market proliferation: This refers to the acquisition of nuclear materials or technology through illegal or unregulated channels.

Nuclear terrorism: This refers to non-state actors, terrorist groups, or individuals acquiring and using nuclear materials or technology to cause devastation and destruction.

Militarization of civilian nuclear programs: This refers to states utilizing their nuclear energy programs to build military nuclear infrastructure, thus violating non-proliferation treaty.

Noxious fusion proliferation: This refers to countries developing fusion-based nuclear programs.

What is nuclear proliferation?

Quote: "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..."

What is the main concern about nuclear proliferation?

Quote: "...governments fear that more countries with nuclear weapons will increase the possibility of nuclear warfare, de-stabilize international or regional relations, or infringe upon the national sovereignty of nation states."

Which countries are recognized Nuclear Weapon States by the NPT?

Quote: "Four countries besides the five recognized Nuclear Weapon States have acquired, or are presumed to have acquired, nuclear weapons: India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel."

Are the countries with nuclear weapons mentioned in the NPT?

Quote: "None of these four are a party to the NPT, although North Korea acceded to the NPT in 1985, then withdrew in 2003..."

How does the NPT treat countries that have not tested nuclear weapons before 1968?

Quote: "One critique of the NPT is that the treaty is discriminatory in the sense that only those countries that tested nuclear weapons before 1968 are recognized as nuclear weapon states while all other states are treated as non-nuclear-weapon states..."

When and by whom was research into nuclear weapons initially undertaken?

Quote: "Research into the development of nuclear weapons was initially undertaken during World War II by the United States (in cooperation with the United Kingdom and Canada), Germany, Japan, and the USSR."

Which country was the first to use a nuclear weapon in war?

Quote: "The United States was the first and is the only country to have used a nuclear weapon in war when it used two bombs against Japan in August 1945."

Which countries ceased nuclear weapon research after World War II?

Quote: "After surrendering to end the war, Germany and Japan ceased to be involved in any nuclear weapon research."

When did the USSR test its first nuclear weapon?

Quote: "In August 1949, the USSR tested a nuclear weapon, becoming the second country to detonate a nuclear bomb."

When did the United Kingdom first test a nuclear weapon?

Quote: "The United Kingdom first tested a nuclear weapon in October 1952."

When did France first test a nuclear weapon?

Quote: "France first tested a nuclear weapon in 1960."

When did China detonate its first nuclear weapon?

Quote: "The People's Republic of China detonated a nuclear weapon in 1964."

When did India conduct its first nuclear test?

Quote: "India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974..."

What prompted Pakistan to develop its own nuclear program?

Quote: "...which prompted Pakistan to develop its own nuclear program."

When did Pakistan conduct a series of nuclear tests?

Quote: "...when India conducted a second series of nuclear tests in 1998, Pakistan followed with a series of tests of its own."

When did North Korea conduct its first nuclear test?

Quote: "In 2006, North Korea conducted its first nuclear test."

How many countries, besides the recognized Nuclear Weapon States, have acquired nuclear weapons?

Quote: "Four countries besides the five recognized Nuclear Weapon States have acquired, or are presumed to have acquired, nuclear weapons..."

Which treaty governs the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons?

Quote: "...the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT."

What is the main criticism of the NPT?

Quote: "One critique of the NPT is that the treaty is discriminatory..."

What are the potential consequences of nuclear proliferation?

Quote: "...increase the possibility of nuclear warfare, de-stabilize international or regional relations, or infringe upon the national sovereignty of nation states."