New in National Security
UN to Discuss Terrorism without Definition of Terrorism. Click here to read more.
Tit for Tat at the Security Council. Click here to read more.
One World, One Dream? Olympics Raise Doubts about Global Governance. Click here to read more.
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International Arms Control
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world’s center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world’s "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957. The Agency works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies. The IAEA’s mission is guided by the interests and needs of member states, strategic plans and the vision embodied in the IAEA Statute. The three main pillars that underpin the IAEA’s mission are:
- Safety and security;
- Science and technology; and
- Safeguards and verification.
The IAEA Secretariat is a team of 2,200 multi-disciplinary professional and support staff from more than ninety countries. IAEA is an independent international organization related to the UN system. The relationship between the two organizations is regulated by a special agreement. The IAEA reports annually to the UN General Assembly and, when appropriate, to the Security Council regarding non-compliance by states with their safeguards obligations, as well as on matters relating to international peace and security.
There are currently 189 states party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), five of which have nuclear weapons (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China). Only four nations are not signatories (India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea). The treaty is often interpreted as having three pillars:
- Non-proliferation;
- Disarmament; and
- Peaceful use of nuclear energy.
NATO states argue that when there is a state of "general war" the treaty no longer applies, allowing states involved to leave the treaty with no notice. This is a necessary in order to support the NATO nuclear weapons sharing policy.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. According to the treaty, each state party agrees not to carry out nuclear weapons test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and to prohibit and prevent any such nuclear explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control. The CTBT has now been signed by 177 states and ratified by 138. All European states have ratified the treaty.
A JOINT PROGRAM OF
