CFR.org - Proliferation

How does Israel's nuclear program contribute to Iran's nuclear ambitions?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:17:43 -0400

Iran's nuclear ambitions are likely driven by multiple factors, from security concerns to domestic polices. However, political competition within Iran, rather than Israel's nuclear capabilities, plays a more significant role in driving Iran's nuclear ambition.

France Isn't Aiming for Nuclear Zero

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:51:35 -0400

Frank Klotz discusses France's new defense white paper and its implications for France's nuclear policy.

Is the United States prepared to go to war with North Korea if necessary?

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:47:48 -0400

Since North Korea conducted its latest nuclear test in February 2013, a spiral of heightened international pressure and increasingly threatening provocations by Pyongyang has ensued.

Obama Is Right on Chemical Warfare in Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:14:59 -0400

Obama is right not to rush to war, given our checkered past on the use of chemical weapons and the sinkhole of hatreds in Syria, writes Leslie H. Gelb.

Should the United States push Israel to join the Non Proliferation Treaty?

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:50:34 -0400

The United States tried to convince Israel to join the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the treaty was first introduced and before it was widely believed that Israel had nuclear weapons. The NPT's objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology and further the goal of universal disarmament.

P5 Joint Conference Statements on Nuclear Issues

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:41:55 -0400

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are five nuclear-weapon states that have signed the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). As the P5, they meet regularly to work toward nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.

Secretary Kerry's Remarks at Remarks at American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul, April 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:22:18 -0400

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on April 12, 2013, at the American Chamber of Commerece in Seoul after his meetings with South Korean President Park and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun. He discussed economic cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the United States and nuclear issues in the region.

Do North Korea’s nuclear capabilities give it a voice that cannot be ignored?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:17:28 -0400

Some argue that the best way to restrain North Korea is to strengthen sanctions, principally by putting more pressure on China to reduce its trade with North Korea. Others advocate a diplomatic approach and argue that engagement, not escalation, would be more effective. What all parties need to remember is that actions speak louder than words.

The Best Red Line for a Nuclear Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:34:14 -0400

Ray Takeyh warns that the West is falling into a diplomacy trap set by Iranian clerics regarding the nuclear Non-Prolifieration Treaty (NPT).

Which option would be more effective in containing North Korea: Through unity with South Korea, diplomacy, or military intervention?

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:26:24 -0400

North Korea's ratcheting up of tensions requires South Korean and U.S. military forces in Korea to be prepared to defend against North Korean military incursions. Resumption of diplomacy will only be possible when North Korea signals it is ready to resume dialogue and all parties agree on an agenda that includes both tension-reduction and denuclearization.

What is Behind North Korea’s Threats

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:03:14 -0400

Scott A. Snyder outlines five things to know about the increase in threats from North Korea.

Probing for Chemical Attacks in Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:08:12 -0400

The success of a UN investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack in Aleppo province last week will depend on a number of factors and could prove inconclusive, says CFR's Gregory Koblentz.

Remarks by Under Secretary Gottemoeller on Obama Administration's Second Term Priorities for Arms Control and Nonproliferation

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:45:25 -0400

Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller presented these priorities at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy on March 20, 2013.

What should U.S. policy toward Iran be in order to prevent further development of its nuclear program?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:39:19 -0400

Since the discovery of illicit Iranian nuclear facilities in 2002, the United States has sought to mobilize an international coalition to address the Iranian nuclear challenge through various coercions and incentives. UN member states agree that Iran is entitled to a civilian nuclear program for purposes of energy generation, but they require assurances that such a program is not going to be misused for military purposes.

Secretary of Defense Hagel's Missile Defense Announcement, March 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:02:29 -0400

Secretary of Defense Charles Hagel held a press briefing on March 13, 2013, to announce increased missile defense operations to prepare for possible attack from North Korea or Iran. North Korea's Supreme Command has recently released threatening statements.

Pakistan's Nuclear Past as Prologue

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:59:29 -0400

Frank Klotz explores the role of history in the Pakistani nuclear program and the challenges for the future in his review of Feroz Hassan Khan's recently released Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb.

The Six-Party Talks on North Korea's Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:26:08 -0500

The Six-Party Talks serve as a forum for the denuclearization of North Korea, but analysts say the negotiations have been hindered by Pyongyang's belligerence and the shifting priorities of participating nations.

Seal the Deal With Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:39:03 -0500

Ray Takeyh calls for "a more imaginative re-conceptualization of the existing diplomatic paradigm," between the United States and Iran.

UN Security Council Resolution 2094, North Korea

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:58:21 -0500

The UN Security Council passed this resolution including economic sanctions on North Korea on March 7, 2013, after North Korea's nuclear test on February 12, 2013. North Korea said it will end its armistice agreement with South Korea if the resolution passed.

The Presidential Inbox: Iran's Nuclear Program

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:00:42 -0500

Participants discuss possible U.S. policy approaches to Iran's nuclear program and the recently concluded talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Statement by Supreme Command of the Korean Army about Korean Armistice Agreement, March 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:12:19 -0500

North Korean Supreme Command of the Korean Army released this statement on March 5, 2013, saying that North Korea will no longer recognize the Korean Armistice Agreement if the UN Security Council passed a resolution and sanctions against North Korea after its February nuclear test.

IAEA Director General Amano's Remarks to the Board of Governors, March 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:25:06 -0500

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano gave these remarks to the Board of Governor on March 4, 2013, to open IAEA's first meeting of 2013. As mentioned in the press release and Amano's remarks, the meeting will discuss the Fukushima nuclear accident, nuclear safety, nuclear energy, and safeguards in North Korea and Iran.

Shifting Tactics in Talks With Tehran

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:31:10 -0500

World powers are now offering to ease sanctions on Iran if it agrees to halt its most sensitive nuclear activity. Expert Daryl Kimball urges a full diplomatic press to stop Iran from crossing the nuclear weapons line.

North Korea's Nuclear Test: Three Things to Know

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:20:14 -0500

North Korea's third successful nuclear test has been widely condemned by the international community. CFR's Paul Stares highlights three things to know about the test and its implications for nuclear nonproliferation.

On Iran, There's Time

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:57:37 -0500

A take-it-or-leave-it deal by the United States on the nuclear issue is the wrong strategy, says Ray Takeyh.

Ayatollah Khamenei's Remarks to Iranian Air Force Officials about Negotiations with the United States, February 2013

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:40:42 -0500

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made these remarks at a meeting with Iran's air force on February 7, 2013, responding to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's offer of direct talks about Iran's nuclear program.

North Korea’s Nuclear Needs

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:12:15 -0500

Pyongyang appears determined to become a nuclear weapon state while still aiming to cultivate economic ties with the outside world, says expert Victor Cha.

A First Step With Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:07:18 -0500

In the nuclear dispute between Iran and the United States, a grand bargain is unlikely given the level of mistrust between the two parties. What's more realistic is a modest compromise that breaches the wall of mistrust and potentially sets the stage for further-reaching arms control measures, says Ray Takeyh.

Getting to Yes With Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:37:19 -0500

Halting Iran's progress toward a bomb will require the United States to make credible promises and credible threats simultaneously -- an exceedingly difficult trick to pull off.

Nuclear Challenges: Safeguards, Security, and Safety

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:00:50 -0500

Director General Amano discusses challenges facing the IAEA, including action plans for global nuclear safeguards and security.