Non-Proliferation
Atomic bomb explosion in the Marshall Islands. National Archives.
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RECENT ANALYSIS
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Dec 17, 2008
Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration
In 2008, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation sought input from 60 scientists, academics, members of Congress, senior congressional staffers, and representatives from advocacy groups, think tanks, and foundations to assess the priorities for the next Administration on nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. This report summarizes the consultations. -
Dec 17, 2008
Nukes in the Snowflake Blizzard
Every think tank, non-profit, trade association, and lobbyist in town has produced a set of policy recommendations for the incoming Obama administration. The bad news is that I come bearing yet another policy memo for Team Obama. The good news is that my recommendations are the consensus of an arms control brain trust. -
Dec 10, 2008
Comments for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
This statement was presented by Leonor Tomero, director for nuclear nonproliferation, at the Department of Energy’s December 9 hearing on the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). - See more articles »
CENTER EXPERT
Leonor Tomero
Director for Nuclear Non-Proliferation
202-546-0795 ext.119
ltomero AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
Learn about the Project on Strengthening Arms Control and Nonproliferation Click here »
Since entering into force in 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the NPT, has remained the cornerstone of the international nonproliferation regime. In creating a system of mutual responsibilities and an international taboo against the use or threat to use nuclear weapons, the NPT has proven largely successful in stemming proliferation.
But the nonproliferation regime faces new challenges: insufficient protections against the theft or sale of various nuclear materials in states of the former Soviet Union; nuclear black market activity such as the network operated by A.Q. Khan out of Pakistan; threats by North Korea to share nuclear technology with states or non-state actors hostile to the U.S.; and, most recently, violations of IAEA nuclear safeguard standards by Iran, a signatory of the NPT which is pursuing technology for producing nuclear materials as part of a possible quest for a nuclear bomb.
The threat of nuclear terrorism is producing additional challenges to the NPT regime, particularly in the areas of securing and safeguarding nuclear weapons material, as is a pending agreement between the U.S. and India to share peaceful nuclear technology. The U.S.-India deal challenges the legitimacy of the NPT because it would not require India to join the NPT or to undertake any of the disarmament commitments that the P-5 agreed to.
Many experts agree that some type of nonproliferation regime reform is necessary, particularly since certain states have interpreted the NPT as allowing them to acquire nuclear technologies that take them to the brink of acquiring an actual nuclear weapon without explicitly violating the treaty, sometimes referred to as a "breakout capability." Withdrawing from the NPT also carries no penalty, save possible ad hoc action taken by the U.N. Security Council.
Unless nuclear proliferation challenges are effectively addressed and until nuclear weapon states achieve further progress on their disarmament commitments, the future strength of the NPT regime remains in question.
FY2009 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Sep 25, 2008 Analysis of FY2009 Defense Appropriations in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (CR) for FY2009
Sep 24, 2008 Analysis of House-Senate Agreement on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S.3001)
Feb 4, 2008 The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Aug 19, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): Next Steps
Aug 15, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): Domestic Stakeholders
Aug 4, 2008 The Future of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP): The International Partners
Jun 9, 2008 Memorandum to Obama and McCain: A New Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Agenda
Apr 30, 2008 Nuclear Fuel Recycling: More Trouble Than It's Worth
Apr 15, 2008 Potential U.S. Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
Apr 15, 2008 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) Fact Sheet
Mar 5, 2008 History, Design, and Prospects for Improving Pakistan's Nuclear Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)
ADDITIONAL READING
- 10 Reasons to Support a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
This Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation fact sheet briefly provides 10 key reasons to support a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). - Congressional Research Service, "Managing the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Policy Implications of Expanding Global Access to Nuclear Power," updated March 7, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "India-U.S. Relations," updated August 12, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Nonproliferation and Threat Reduction Assistance: U.S. Programs in the Former Soviet Union," updated January 3, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements," updated April 9, 2008.