What Efforts Can External Parties Take to Prevent the Proliferation of Nuclear Materials?
As North Korea steps up nuclear testing in the recent years, the fears of nuclear materials proliferating beyond the control of state-level actors have reemerged. Not since the mid-2000s, when al-Qaeda sought to acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan (primarily via its nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan) has the worry of nuclear proliferation been so realistic, probable, and risky. The situation in North Korea calls for redoubled efforts to ensure that all the incentives align to prevent spread of nuclear materials.