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Weapons Proliferation, simply defined, is the rapid increase or spread of weapons in the context of global security. If we are to measure the weapons capabilities of the world, the United States retains the lion's share: in 2002 the Economist estimated that American military spending would exceed 379 billion in 2003 (Economist, 6/18/2002.) For comparison's sake, Russia, the world's second largest nuclear power, had a total GDP of merely 346.6 billion in 2002 (Economist, 7/22/2003.) However, the "balance of terror" that underscored the cold war era was in many ways much safer than the current situation. Whereas 'weapons proliferation' once referred to the number of weapons in existence, it has taken on a new meaning; it now is usually meant to reflect the number of political entities capable of using weapons of mass destruction. The number of such countries has increased beyond UN Security Council permanent members to include India, Pakistan, Israel and perhaps most notably North Korea.
Countries such as North Korea are regarded as what are known as 'rogue states:' states that fail to sign or comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Israel is also not a signatory to these conventions, an anomaly that is regarded by most of the Muslim world as being an example of preferential treatment. India and Pakistan haven't signed the treaty. North Korea has never played by the rules. Weapons of Mass Destruction...
According to the North Korean press, its attempt to develop nuclear weapons will allow it to reduce the army of 1.1 million it has stationed at the border with South Korea. North Korea claims to be in possession of two nuclear weapons, and has recently developed launch capabilities capable of putting nuclear warheads in Japan. Perhaps more frightening is the skill with which North Korea executes intelligence operations. In 1983, North Korea sent three top agents to Burma to assassinate the President of South Korea as he and his cabinet visited a shrine. They detonated a bomb that killed 18 South Korean officials; the President survived. Given the volume of trade between the United States and the Pacific, North Korea could easily detonate a nuclear bomb in any American city along the west coast.
Perhaps one of the largest problems with North Korea's weapons capability is that it is infectious. Rogue states are usually very poor, and will export weapons and weapons technology to other countries that do not share the interests of the United States. Many hope that a wider acceptance of Non-Proliferation agreements would help to curtail this. The failure of such agreements has been a matter of concern: North Korea currently exports missiles to Pakistan, Iran, Libya,…
Be Afraid. Economist, September 4th, 2003
Lord Hutton's Eyebrows. Economist, September 4th, 2003
Brecher, Gary. Bezerkers with Red Stars: North Korean Scenarios. The Exile, June 2, 2003.
Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Next Terror: Assessment of How a Significant Terrorist WMD Attack Might Be Conducted by a Non-State Actors Perpetrator and Why They Can't Stage an Attack Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD) have considerable effect to the economies of both developed and developing countries. In the modern world, most terror groups have resolved to use Weapons of Mass Destruction to harm their enemies. The entire syndicate comprises
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: Facilitators and Detractors Ever since the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world has been polarized into two different groups: one that supports nuclear proliferation, and another that vehemently campaigns against the piling up of nuclear material in the world. Both groups have their own arguments to justify their stand. While those who oppose nuclear weapons argue that nuclear proliferation endangers the very
Weapons of Mass Destruction Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century Security Environment The apparent anti-proliferation approach of the George W. Bush Administration to nuclear and other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) seems to coincide with the perspective of Scott Sagan in The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate, as opposed to the deterrence perspective of his co-author, Kenneth Waltz. Security for major nations is currently under greater threat by the destabilizing effects
Wilson earned a doctorate degree in Johns Hopkins University, and became a professor of political science. Wilson experience and academic background influenced his thought. Wilson focused on peace and international cooperation, and envisaged a new world order based on the rule of law, formation of international organizations and acceptance of shared values. Wilson also advocated for the covenants of peace by reducing armaments among nations. 28. The idealists thought led
North Korea has acknowledged that it has a development program for nuclear technology. International talks and pressure tactics have attempted to halt this perceived proliferation of nuclear weapons; however, the methods used (from political pressure to sanctions) have not been successful. I will argue that North Korean proliferation is not the security threat feared by the West and explore how nuclear advances in Southeast Asia may actually help stabilize
The foremost reason cited for pessimism with regard to global arms trading is technological smuggling, overseas systems’ reverse engineering, and the intense merchant rivalry when it comes to delivering more superior offset agreements, increasing advanced weapon manufacture capability worldwide. The above trend has brought about a significant decline in the need for buying on the global market (Naylor, 2004). One may witness synergy between trade of illegal imports, weapon proliferation