How Nuclear Weapons Spread: Nuclear-Weapon Proliferation in the 1990s

The production of the first nuclear fission chain reaction in 1942 ushered in a new era in history and science. With both detrimental and beneficial effects, the nuclear age had begun - an age which would have far-reaching effects on the lives of subsequent generations. In How Nuclear Weapons Sprea d , Frank Barnaby examines the implications of nuclear weapons, and considers the close relationship between peaceful and military nuclear programmes. The book looks in detail at the nuclear programmes of third world countries which have or could soon have the bomb, such as Israel, Pakistan and India, as well as those which are thought to be developing their nuclear capabilities: such as Iran and North Korea. Even more alarming is the threat that terrorists might acquire nuclear weapons. Frank Barnaby assesses the reality of this risk, and considers methods of checking the spread of these weapons. The book also contains detailed descriptions of the components needed for nuclear-fission and thermonuclear weapons, and discusses the need to test these weapons, as well as the difficulties of disarming and disposing of nuclear materials. How Nuclear Weapons Spread will be of great interest to students of International Politics, International Relations and Strategy Studies.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 The Link Between Peaceful and Military Nuclear Programmes; Chapter 2 Nuclear Power in Electrical Energy Supply; Chapter 3 The Plutonium Economy and Highly-Enriched Uranium; Chapter 4 The Components of Nuclear and Thermonuclear Weapons; Chapter 5 Nuclear-Weapon Testing; Chapter 6 Dismantling Nuclear Weapons; Chapter 7 Disposing of Plutonium; Chapter 8 The Prospects for the Nuclear Arsenals; Chapter 9 India's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 10 Pakistan's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 11 Israel's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 12 Iraq's Nuclear-Weapon Programme; Chapter 13 North Korea's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 14 Argentina's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 15 Brazil's Nuclear Programme; Chapter 16 South Africa'S Nuclear Programme; Chapter 17 Iran'S Nuclear Programme; Chapter 18 Nuclear Proliferation To Sub-National Groups; Chapter 19 Preventing the Spread of Nuclear Weapons; Chapter 20 The Proliferation of Nuclear Weapon Delivery Systems;

About the Author :
Frank Barnaby is a former Guest Professor at the Free University in Amsterdam and a former Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. He is currently a defence analyst and is the author of many books, including Star Wars, 1987, The Automated Battlefield, 1987 and The Role and Control of Weapons, 1992.

Review :
`... the overall effect is to produce an account which will be of great value to those concerned with the wider political implications of nuclear proliferation. In short, an excellent introduction to an important subject.' - Political Studies