Issues: Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear Weapons States

China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States: These states have declared their nuclear weapons program and are recognized under the NPT as a nuclear weapons state.

Non-NPT Nuclear Weapons States

India, Israel, Pakistan: These states are not members of the NPT and possess nuclear weapons.

States that Have Renounced Nuclear Weapons

Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Libya, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine: The states in this category had, or were believed to have had, active nuclear weapons programs. These states went on to renounce-some voluntarily and some through force-such activities.

States of Concern

Iran, North Korea: These states have taken steps in the recent past to acquire nuclear weapons.

• Introduction
• The Cold War is Over- The Nuclear Threat is Not
• The Bush Administration's Policies
• Alternative Policies for a More Secure World
• Conclusion
• Additional Resources
• Table 1 The Countdown to Nuclear War
• Table 2 Nuclear Weapon Status of Select States
• Map of Nuclear Weapon States

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Sources: Arms Control Today and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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