Blocking the spread of nuclear weapons. American and European perspectives

Book · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5375221

Smith, G C; Holst, J J

This volume is the product of separate but parallel studies undertaken by two panels of experts-one from the United States, the other from Western Europe-on new approaches to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons to additional countries. Neither panel sounded a doomsday alarm; each concluded that the chances for controlling proliferation lie in good part on building on the sound foundation of existing policies and institutional structures. Among the other conclusions derived from the parallel studies: The threat of nuclear proliferation is a specific, definable danger in a limited number of countries. The incentives that appear to make nuclear weapons an interesting option to some states must be understood, and potential proliferators must be persuaded that their acquisition will not lead to national security. Effective persuasion is more likely to come from non-nuclear weapon nations. Europe and the United States must collaborate in engaging such third-party persuaders in this endeavor. The panels' intensive examination of the six states of greatest near-term concern leads to the conclusion that the uneasy status quo will probably prevail for the next several years, yet these are volatile situations. The nature of the threat demands an extraordinary degree of international collaboration.

• OSTI ID: 5375221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NON-PROLIFERATION POLICY
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PROLIFERATION
AGREEMENTS
ARMS CONTROL
EVALUATION
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
NATIONAL SECURITY
NEGOTIATION
RISK ASSESSMENT
USA
WESTERN EUROPE
COOPERATION
EUROPE
NORTH AMERICA
SECURITY
WEAPONS
350200* - Arms Control- Proliferation- (1987-)
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy