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| Nuclear Proliferation, Global Threats, and the Post Cold War Period. |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
Now that the super powers no longer engage themselves in open nuclear confrontation, or, aim their missiles at each other, one may ask whether the nuclear threat is over. However, many experts feel that
the world is facing great troubles of accidental or incidental nuclear holocaust. Truly the world scene has changed; no longer are the two super powers locked in a nuclear standoff. Never-the-less, several nations now possess nuclear capabilities and a few terrorist groups have got their hands on radioactive materials. As one observer put it: "This may be the most dangerous moment of the nuclear age".
Presently, there are changes in the world's political line-up.Traditionally,
the nuclear club consisted of five nations: Britain, China, France, Russia, and United States. However, it is now obvious that other
countries too have gone nuclear. For example, India and Pakistan recently conducted nuclear tests that sparked fears of an intensive arms race in South East Asia.
Despite the gospel against nuclear proliferation by the United States and the European powers, nuclear proliferation has continued. The former Cold War actors: the United States and Russia still retain arsenals of nuclear war heads. According to a research group called the Committee on Nuclear Policy, some five thousand nuclear weapons are
currently on hair trigger alert.
The fact remains that nuclear weapons research and development continues. For example in United States, the annual budget for such weapons is about $4.5 billion. In 1997, the Toronto star reported:
"Paradoxically, the United States is now spending more than it did during the Cold War on preservation of its nuclear warheads and machines, and some of that money is earmarked for ambiguous programs that critics say carry the seeds of a new global arms race".
For example, much controversy arose over the multi-billion dollar U.S. government program called the Stockpiled Stewardship and Management program. Although it has been seen, that, the ostensible purpose of the program is the maintenance of existing nuclear
weapons, critics say that it also serves a more sinister purpose. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists reports:" There are plans for alteration,
modification, updates and replacement-not just to extend the lives of nuclear arsenals but to improve it as well".
In 1997, a furore arose over the development of a nuclear bomb called the B-61, which has the ability to penetrate the earth's surface before detonating. It can thus destroy underground command posts, factories
and laboratories. Opponents have indeed claimed that it is new bomb-a gross violation of the promises made by the U.S. government that it will not develop new nuclear weapons.
A nuclear physicist at Princeton University, Ted Taylor, observed:" My guess is that the sort of research going on in U.S. is also going on in Russia, France, Germany and other places, and I believe that some of our projects are leading the world into a new arms race".
Asia Week reports: “Nuclear proliferation experts still believe, that the real threat comes from the growing number of countries whose leaders would like to have their fingers on the nuclear trigger".
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Ajaero Ray
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Comments
john garnett | Aug 30th, 2003
i entirely agree with your article but how can we put a stop to this madness? protests alone do not seem to change the opinions of those in charge nor electorial candicy nor policy of big business.
Nuclear age: WILL IT LEAD TO ARMAGEDOM? Enefe, | Sep 16th, 2003
The so much talk about nuclear weapon and its proliferation makes me wonder if the possessors will not the world with it someday when they become power drunk.
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