The Spread of Nuclear Weapons and Technology

The End of the Cold War

It was believed that the threat of a nuclear war was largely eliminated at the end of the Cold War. The two superpowers, and a small number of other nations had developed and tested nuclear weapons. The tight little "nuclear club" of nations included England, France, China, USSR and the United States.

Some states saw the development of a nuclear program and construction of nuclear weapons, as almost an indication of power status in the 1960's. The possession of a nuclear device would bring these countries to a higher level of world affairs, along with improving the defense capabilities for their nations. The spread of weapons of mass destruction became a major concern for the "nuclear club," because they were unsure of the intentions of these new nations. In July 1968, the US, USSR and Great Britain, all signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to stop the spread of nuclear technology and weapons. It came into effect in 1970, but France and China refused to sign, initially. Forty-seven nations later signed the treaty, but several countries wanting the bomb did not.

Secret weapons programs were started or continued in South Africa, Israel, Algeria, Brazil, Pakistan and India. Later, other less stable countries became interested in a nuclear weapons program.

Today, India has several nuclear weapons ready for use. They can be combined with a missile capable of hitting Pakistan's capital of Islamabad in less than three minutes. In response, Pakistan has developed a nuclear weapons and a missile system capable of hitting New Delhi in less than four minutes. As tensions and traditional hatred between these two nations increase, the possibility of a limited nuclear war exists.

Nations interested developing nuclear programs felt that it was not fair that they were denied developing and stockpiling weapons. The super powers were able to pioneer and test weapons during the 1950s and 1960s, but finally realized their threat to the world. It appeared to the "non-nuclear club" that they were being excluded from joining the powerful nations by attempts to restrict their nuclear programs.

The struggle to limit the spread of weapons of mass destruction continues daily. The collapse of the Soviet Union has opened the door to new problems. Security around former Soviet missile bases and storage sties have been questioned. Soviet nuclear scientists are out of work, and may be tempted to bring their expertise to nations wanting a bomb.

To eliminate the threat of old Soviet bombs and nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terrorist and rogue nations, the United States has stepped in to help a former enemy. The United States spends billions of dollars on assisting Russia to dismantle and store old weapons. Furthermore, the United States pays the Russians for the radioactive materials to be shipped to the US. In other words, the Americans are buying radioactive material from the bombs that were intended to destroy them.

The question of the spread of nuclear weapons and technology will continue for some time. Unfortunately, as regional tensions increase in parts of the world, the threat of a limited nuclear war has increased. The damage to life and the environment would be significant.