Global Nuclear Energy Risks: The Search for Preventive Medicine

Almost two dozen nations currently generate nuclear energy, and eighteen more are planning to construct reactors in the near future. This expansion increases the need for the international community to find ways to meet five basic security challenges: national and subnational diversion of nuclear materials for weapons, subnational sabotage of nuclear facilities, wartime destruction, and major accidents. To date, international efforts to address these problems have included the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Latin American nuclear-free zone, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the nuclear suppliers conference. Despite these laudable achievements, uneven approaches to obligations and inherent problems in the international agreements may weaken their effectiveness. New approaches must be sought in order to ensure safe, peaceful development of nuclear energy. Dr. Ramberg explores various methods of enhancing existing practices through the use of "preventive medicine." After outlining the current nuclear regime and examining its weaknesses, he evaluates the desirability and practicality of seven "international nuclear review" options focused on preventing a global nuclear disaster.