Routledge Handbook of Nuclear Proliferation and Policy

This new Handbook is a comprehensive examination of the rich and complex issues of nuclear proliferation in the early 21st century. The volume presents the most up-to-date analysis and policy recommendations on these critical issues by recognized, leading scholars in the field, and will become the go-to book for scholars and practitioners studying or shaping policies on nuclear proliferation.

In the context of rising regional instability and conflict, along with increased incidents of global terrorism, and in a dynamic, uncertain political environment, emerging nuclear proliferation threats—from both states and terrorist groups—are seen as growing dangers giving rise to increasing global insecurity. The future of the decades-long effort to prevent the further spread of weapons of mass destruction is therefore at a crossroads today. If international nonproliferation efforts are to be successful, an integrated, multi-tiered response will almost certainly be necessary. But a serious, thorough, and clear-eyed examination of the range of threats, challenges, and opportunities facing the international community is a necessary first step. That is what this Handbook of Nuclear Proliferation is intended to do.

The volume is divided into four major sections. Section I is intended to be a primer that explains the basic technologies involved with nuclear proliferation—including the basics of weapons design, the fuel cycle (including uranium enrichment and plutonium production), and some of the technologies and procedures that have been developed to detect covert nuclear weapons programs and, in the event of their use or discovery, to trace the weapons back to their state of origin. Section II presents detailed threat assessments of proliferation risks across the globe, including specific regions and countries. It also explains the various tools developed by the international community to address these proliferation threats—including the NPT, IAEA safeguards, and various international treaties and arrangements. Section III addresses the proliferation risks and political/technological challenges arising from nuclear energy production. Finally, the fourth section examines the problems of nuclear security and terrorism, including the risks of nuclear terrorism, potential loss of controls over nuclear weapons and materials, and the programs designed to improve nuclear security across the globe.

This Handbook will be of great interest to students of nuclear proliferation, arms control, global governance, diplomacy, and global security and IR general.

Nathan E. Busch is associate professor and co-director of the Centre for American Studies at Christopher Newport University, USA. He is author of No End in Sight: The Continuting Menace of Nuclear Proliferation (2004) and co-editor of Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (2009).

Joseph F. Pilat is Project Manager at the National Security Office, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center International Center for Scholars, Washington DC. He is author of Atoms for Peace: A Future after 50 Years? (2007).