Policy to Control Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Abstract
The list of countries possessing or attempting to acquire weapons of mass destruction is growing. The United States should analyze the various options and formulate a consistent nuclear non-proliferation strategy. U.S. public policy has been to oppose nuclear proliferation, but; argue that retaining nuclear weapons enhance our security by deterring nuclear attack. Our inconsistency may not be sustainable, especially when the NPT comes up for re-negotiation. This paper explores the history of nuclear weapons and analyzes nuclear proliferation in the post-Cold War era. This investigation is limited to an overview of the problem, with a close focus on what analysts consider to be among the key issues: disarmament and the reversal of bilateral nuclear competition between the world's two biggest nuclear powers (the United States and Russia), deliberate proliferation by rogue states and undeclared nuclear powers, and proliferation stemming from "nuclear leakage" out of the former Soviet Union. A summary of non-proliferation policies along with a discussion of current world realities lead to the conclusion that the existing non-proliferation regime is losing its potency. There are no clear cut policies and easy military means for neutralizing nuclear weapons in the future most likely scenarios.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA391219
Entities
People
- Donald G. Mcmillian
Organizations
- United States Army War College