Choice Reviews Online · 1995 · 157 citations · 0 references
Social SciencesInternational RelationsPolitical ScienceArms ControlInternational SecuritySecurity StudiesNuclear DisarmamentNuclear DoctrineNuclear GovernanceNuclear NonproliferationNuclear StrategyNuclear Weapons PolicyArms Control StrategyNuclear Security PolicyNuclear Weapons GovernanceNuclear Weapons LimitationNuclear Weapons ProliferationNuclear Weapons Security
The study examines why nuclear weapons are becoming less attractive and what motivates leaders to curb nuclear ambitions. The book, written by an arms control expert, details how nine countries—including South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, and North Korea—have capped or rolled back their nuclear programs and discusses additional confidential information. Findings include South Africa’s decision to build and then abandon a nuclear bomb, and the 1992 Belarus denuclearization agreement that set a timetable for returning SS‑25 ICBMs to Russia.
This study presents an account of why nuclear weapons are rapidly becoming less attractive than they once seemed and what factors can motivate a country's leaders to keep nuclear ambitions in check. The book - written by an arms control expert - explains how nine countries: South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan and North Korea - have recently capped, curtailed or rolled back their nuclear weapons programmes. Among the issues discussed are how, when, where and why South Africa built the bomb, how they planned to use it and why they gave it up. There are details of the classified 1992 denuclearization agreement Russia forced Belarus to sign, setting the timetable for the return of SS-25 ICBMs to Russia. Other previously confidential information is discussed.