One of the worst fears in the post 9-11 world is that the threat of nuclear terrorism will become reality. Nonproliferation expert, Robert Litwak has for decades been immersed in the work of securing nuclear weapons and materials from spreading and falling into the hands of actors that would not hesitate to put them to destructive use. His books on “Rogue” and “Outlier” states have provided valuable ways to think about and address the threats posed by potential abuses of nuclear technologies.
The Iran nuclear deal continues to be a focus of partisan disagreement during election 2016. We asked nonproliferation expert, Robert Litwak to provide an update on the deal in the shadow of the race for the White House. That’s the focus of this edition of Wilson Center NOW.
While denuclearization should remain the goal of U.S. policy, freezing North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs should be a priority. However, sanctions alone will not be enough to get North Korea to freeze these activities.
Policy Recommendations:
Recognizing the limits of sanctions on North Korea:
Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups are determined, as President Obama stated, "to buy, build or steal" a nuclear weapon and "would have no problem with using it." Preventing a nuclear 9/11 hinges on foiling terrorist efforts to acquire the capability that would allow them to act on their intention.
The United States is a Pacific power. It may be so reluctantly, but its continued military, political, and economic engagement has been key to Asia’s stability and prosperity. Ensuring that the Asia-Pacific remains robust politically and economically will be in the United States’ own interest, and will be a key foreign policy challenge for any administration.
North Korea tested a fifth nuclear device in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Held on the sixty-eighth anniversary of the regime's founding, the test comes fresh on the heels of a series of ballistic missile tests on Monday as world powers gathered for a G20 meeting in China. North Korea advances its threat capabilities with each nuclear and ballistic missile test. It is time for an immediate re-assessment of ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat North Korea's weapons programs pose to the region.
A year after world powers signed an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, the regime in Tehran continues to engage in developing ballistic missile technology, human rights violations, aggressive behavior in the region, and anti-American and anti-semitic rhetoric.
Iran’s economy has slowly but measurably rebounded in the year since Tehran signed a historic nuclear deal with the world’s six major powers. The two most tangible changes have been the increase in oil exports–which have nearly doubled since sanctions were lifted on Jan. 16–and the dozens of foreign trade and investment deals Iran has negotiated.
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