International Barriers to Nuclear non-proliferation

            Nuclear non-proliferation is a highly complex subject interlaced with cultural sensitivities and nationalism.

            When we look at this subject through others eyes and especially those of developing countries we see national pride at stake even when there isn’t a discernable conflict that would make those countries more prone to developing nuclear weaponry.  They see this as a matter of pride in that they believe they are no lesser able to possess such a deterrent for their own protection from imaginary foes than that of superpowers. 

            Super-powers are not the only powers that currently possess nuclear weaponry or the quick ability to possess this threat.  Take into consideration the fact that one Pakistani scientist is perhaps responsible for spreading nuclear technology to as many as 10 countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt just to name a few.  Of course, hardware concerns such as accelerators and trigger technology prevent many of these countries from seeing the fruits of their ambition.  Then who can blame one man within the international black market when super-powers and other lesser nuclear countries have actually taken the lead in helping developing countries join the nuclear fraternity?  Countries such as North Korea, China, USSR and France are very active in the black market for passing nuclear weaponry.  Can we not forget that France in the mid 80s was primarily responsible for Saddam Hussein’s’ first nuclear program?  Even the US bears some responsibility for this since they offered and gave fissionable material/fuel to North Korea for their “promise” not to misuse that material.

            With such rampant and apparently government sanctioned black market activity from many nations in the arms black market it would seem impossible to keep the genie within the bottle.  The fact is that even a college student on-line today can design their own nuclear weapon, although obtaining the hardware might prove a little more difficult but not impossible.  

            Most treaties depend upon total cooperation among nations and the ability to verify that testing is not being conducted.  Only a few countries today have the ability to monitor such agreements and when they believe the agreements are being violated are constantly thwarted by the fact that nuclear weaponry research today can exist in secrecy and without actually detonation of test devices.  It is a well-established belief by the international community today that Israel is unofficially part of the nuclear fraternity without even testing a weapon.  South Africa’s program before it was disestablished could have accomplished the same effect of a hidden ability if they would have not decided to explode two test devices and alert the world.   Testing devices today is not a requirement for possessing nuclear weapons ability.  Saddam was able to conceal a completely secret level at his underground nuclear experimental lab from UN inspectors that was not discovered until US troops overran the facility.

            The bottom line here is that nuclear super-powers and other nuclear countries do not take non-proliferation seriously unless they don’t like the regime in power at the time research is discovered.  A small handful of nations have the surveillance ability to detect testing and hidden facilities and are unable to convince others of the seriousness of their finds. 

            Nuclear non-proliferation will only be an issue with international “rogue states” and those the international community distrusts implicitly unless all nuclear nations cease their black market activity and convince their governments to stop the practice of profit over morality and common sense.  Perhaps if other countries would spend more research dollars on technology capable of exposing nations conducting secret programs rather than just a select few, we could have a fighting chance at putting at least a dent in this trend. 

This is doubtful, as most countries now will only act in their own self-interest with a resurgence of nationalism especially in emerging countries who want to see themselves on an “even playing field” militarily rather than economically.  Until this nationalistic trend abates and the nuclear black market profits are less desirable there seems to be little hope that mankind will ever take this subject seriously even with the presence of hollow treaties and agreements that are meant to be broken at first opportunity.

Nuclear proliferation will proceed just as other cases of technology have regardless of danger such as the spread of the use of Bronze, Iron, domestication of animals and farming.  It is a natural cultural and nationalistic occurrence where individual and sovereign pride is motivating factors.  It is as natural as the seasons such as winter (in this case nuclear winter) and we can only hope that mankind unites and puts aside its’ petty cultural differences and pride before every nation on earth is nuclear.