Nuclear proliferation is a serious issue that is happening right now
The nuclear nonproliferation regime has come under attack from a group of academics and policymakers. They point to North Korea’s reinvigoration of its plutonium program, Iran’s apparent progress in developing a nuclear capability, and the breadth of the Abdul Qadeer (A.Q.) Khan network as evidence that the regime is failing. In addition, they claim that proliferation is driven by the inevitable spread of technology from a dense network of suppliers and that certain “rogue” states possess a determination to acquire nuclear weapons. First, dense networks among second-tier proliferators such as Iran, North Korea, and Libya and private agents have rapidly accelerated proliferation and lowered technological barriers. Because these networks are widespread and decentralized, global measures rather than strategies targeted at individual states are necessary to slow these processes. Second, certain rogue states are dead set on proliferating and thus have no interest in bargaining. (Montgomery)
Continued United States development is necessary to prevent proliferation.
The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) is a proposal by the United States to close the nuclear fuel cycle, reducing waste and limiting proliferation. It is both a research and technology development initiative and an international policy initiative. It addresses the questions of how to use sensitive technologies responsibly in a way that protects global security, and also how to manage and recycle wastes more effectively and securely. Under GNEP, reprocessing is to be a means of avoiding proliferation, as well as addressing problems concerning high-level wastes. It is now a high priority of the US Department of Energy to develop and deploy advanced fuel cycle technologies on a commercial scale as soon as possible. (Lacy)
Through the GNEP the US promotion of civilian nuclear energy will minimize the threat of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.
This new initiative is a comprehensive strategy to enable the expansion of emissions-free nuclear energy worldwide by demonstrating and deploying new technologies to recycle nuclear fuel, minimize waste, and improve our ability to keep nuclear technologies and materials out of the hands of terrorists. As the United States’ economy and economies around the world continue to grow, the need for abundant energy resources will also grow. Through GNEP, the United States will work with other nations possessing advanced nuclear technologies to develop new proliferation-resistant recycling technologies in order to produce more energy, reduce waste and minimize proliferation concerns. Additionally, these partner nations will develop a fuel services program to provide nuclear fuel to developing nations allowing them to enjoy the benefits of abundant sources of clean, safe nuclear energy in a cost effective manner in exchange for their commitment to forgo enrichment and reprocessing activities, also lleviating proliferation concerns. The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership has four main goals. First, reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of fossil fuels and encourage economic growth. Second, recycle nuclear fuel using new proliferation-resistant technologies to recover more energy and reduce waste. Third, encourage prosperity growth and clean development around the world. And fourth, utilize the latest technologies to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation worldwide. (DOE)
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