Nuclear proliferation is the underground spread of nuclear weapons and substances which are fissile to ‘rascal nations’. These nations are not signatories to the treaty that fights proliferation of these nuclear substances. Nuclear proliferation can also be said to be the increasing availability of nuclear enriched elements with high radiation emitting substance such as Uranium. This global issue has caught the eye of politicians and nuclear artillery control departments. Nuclear weapons techno-how was invented in the year 1945. Unfortunately, its good intention turned sour, caused by this nuclear genie that needs to be exterminated with immediate effect. The international agreements and treaties have tried to decrease the perilous dangers brought by nuclear weapons but faced with constant letdown.
To curb unknown danger posed by nuclear proliferation scourge has been kept under constant check by Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty formed in 1968 and has over 180 signatories. Some debate has shade light on the ineffectiveness of this treaty caused by biasness of nations on other non-nuclear nations. This obviously must catch the eye of a politician. Countries like the United States, Russia, China, and United Kingdom, are examples of the official nuclear weapon states. Proliferation of nuclear arsenal has been opposed by various nations with or with substances of nuclear. These nations fear a lethal war may break out on civilians and distort sovereignty of states. The international community has handled several problems regarding relevant efforts that should help the Nuclear Non proliferation Treaty to perform its duty perfectly. Some countries have made retaliations to thwart its efforts.
The politics and technology of nuclear proliferation by Robert Fred Mozley has insights on nuclear technology, proliferation and how the menace can be eradicated. In the first chapters of the book, Robert addresses the nuclear confrontations and nuclear technology advancement. He comprehensively gives relevant basic understanding of the methods employed in the manufacture, testing, and as well as their use and abuse. He later describes the several efforts of the international community in curbing the spread of these nuclear substances. The fist chapter strictly postulates the main dangers of nuclear proliferation; he reminds of the cold war adventures and applies to the present status (Mozley, 1998)
The next subsequent four chapters explain the technical issues of the reactive nuclear materials. How the elements like uranium and plutonium are processed and assembled as bombs. His approach on ‘isotopic content of uranium and plutonium with irradiation’ does not entail complex arithmetical approach. An isotope of uranium-235 undergoes specific separations to realize 100% pure uranium. Plutonium must be processed in a nuclear reactor after rigorous refinement. To design this weapon is very complex, because there are several subcritical fissile masses to consume, design applicable mass that will be ripe for detonation. To make explosions there should be nuclear reactions, for example, using fission which is simply a combination of reactive processed isotopes or fusion, there is immense quantity of energy released from each small matter. A tiny molecule can sink a whole city! The worst aftermath results from the irradiations emitted, light, heat and the vigor of explosion that is breathtaking. In his discussion I could understand weapon-grade and reactor-grade plutonium and distinguish the differences. For sure, the science of nuclear is amazing and demanding. The last chapter ignores the technological approach and summarizes the political non-proliferation efforts made by Non-Proliferation Treaty and Russian safeguards. The history of proliferation efforts made the United is well covered. I learned a revelation of how stolen nuclear weapons are used by small countries, which is posing great dangers even now. The eighth chapter brings closely the dangerous implication of these ‘rogue countries’ that access these materials. These sub-national countries defend the privacy and sovereignty thus posing grievous hostilities that resemble the Cold war. Does this mean there is no remedy for this genie? This is the question that he tries to answer in the next chapter. In chapter nine, one of measure outlined to tackle this menace is profound, for example, the formation of Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, under the leadership of ‘official countries’ should not be bias. They should focus on the loopholes of how these nuclear products are smuggled to small countries like Iraq which abuse, causing threat to economy and ignore human rights (Mozley, 1998)
Similarly, The Tradition of Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons by T.V. Paul has a similar approach as Robert’s concerning proliferation, but its main debate is on the policies made by the five official nations like United States, China, and Russia. Paul manages to assess the different contributions made by each country including, Israel, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan, which are not signatories to Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. Paul does not have a technological approach to nuclear; his main issue is on the catastrophic impact of these elements. The cancerous scorch of the heat, light, and force of explosion as discussed by Robert, brings clearly Paul’s concern in his book. This offers a chance for debate that may bring a solution to curbing nuclear spread to terrorist affiliate countries. The environment is susceptible and the main user of the nuclear power and substances.
In addition, it offers the traditional implication for regimes which are non-proliferation, prevention or deterrence theorist, a word of advice to policy makers. A tear lingers in my eye when he relates the disastrous inhumane hostilities caused during the Second World War. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb drop. The military role is discussed in pages 89 and 128. He clearly shows the negligence of relevant policies that should govern usage nuclear weapons. He offers a challenge to policy makers to put things right in the defense department. They should not be concerned on the anguish of breaking a simple tradition rule but focus also on their apprehension of antagonizing several nations in the expense of others. Paul and Robert at a glance ponders on the impact caused by the attacks of September 11 in the World Trade Center that claimed thousands of life. The measures suggested by both writers should be reviewed and put into considerations. The major part that Paul dwells on is reputation countries like the United States are after. The non-use idea is clearly addressed as a social tradition that centers on the people and state interest which is controlled by pride thus urge on the need of acceptance and support (Paul, 2009).
The two books under review The Tradition of non-use of nuclear weapons and The politics and technology of nuclear proliferation draws attention to the theory and practice of nuclear proliferation from different angles. In Robert’s book he first manages to address the issue of technological manufacture of nuclear related weapons, how they are smuggled and measures to combat proliferation. In the other hand, Paul address in a thought-provoking way how the United States of America is involved in conflicts. These conflicts started during the cold war, the Second World War and up to now are still haunting the nation which is a superpower. These conflicts are called ‘substrategic’, for example, he challenges the military defense system of the United State of being ‘put under check’ by small countries, yet it is a super power. It has improved its military by employing complex defense artillery that is rendered unusable by the military department (Paul, 2009). For the September 11 bombings, America’s expertise was questionable. Because the sophistication uncalculated in terms of accuracy and effectiveness are not helpful even in what he calls ‘Brushwars’. Pakistan has improved its personnel reliability program, to prevent probe by international community to their nuclear projects. If all non-nuclear and nuclear states work together it would ease this problem and avoid situations of prowess. Fuel cycle evaluation should be on check and prohibition of using radiology substances. This should work closely with disarmament department and Nuclear Proliferation Treaty to stop usage of weapons of mass destruction. These are some of the measures the two books address to help us live in a peaceful world.
By contrast Paul captures the relationship between nuclear and non-nuclear states. He shows how the United States since 1945, has not used nuclear artillery on non-nuclear state, due to the tradition of non-use which is an informal belief. In the last chapters, both books focus on the measures to make this world peaceful and fit for humans to dwell. Robert’s point of view is mainly settled on the policies of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. In the last chapters of the book, Paul discusses the future of the non-use belief as it related in the world security environment to safeguard humans. Recently there have been talks on Global Nuclear Proliferation that they have ended with no solution. It’s a high chance to apply the measures taken by non signatory to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty to combat proliferation as discussed by the two authors to be put into practice.
References
Mozley, R. F. (1998). The Politics and Technology of Nuclear Proliferation. University of Washington Press.
Paul. T.V. (2009). The Tradition of Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons. Stanford Security Studies.