Strengthening Global Security: Critique on the NPT and NSG Mechanisms of Nuclear Export Control Regime

Authors

  • Nayyar Abbas Syed PhD Scholar in the Department of Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61732/bj.v3i1.119

Keywords:

Nuclear Export Controls, Export Control Regimes, Weapons of mass Destruction, Nonproliferation, Disarmament, Missile Technology Control Regime, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Zangger Committee

Abstract

An export control regime plays a vital tool in the effort to counter the proliferation of traditional weapons and weapons of mass destruction. However, there are new and fundamental challenges with this system. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding and implementing nuclear export control mechanisms to advance international security and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The research will apply descriptive analysis of the mechanisms of nuclear export controls. Critical analysis of the nuclear export control apparatuses will be applied as a technique to review the loopholes in the enforcement mechanisms of these initiatives. The debate covers key aspects of nuclear export control, including legislative frameworks, industry compliance, licensing and authorization procedures, verification and monitoring systems and control scope. Understanding these elements will enable stakeholders to support responsible and peaceful transfers of nuclear technology while ensuring compliance with international commitments and nonproliferation standards. The paper further delves into the context of these regimes, which are constructed in a way that provides cushion to the international community led by the Western states. The article emphasizes the critical role of the mechanisms of nuclear export control in preserving international security by preventing the unauthorized transfer of sensitive nuclear materials and technology. It also emphasizes the need for industry and national collaboration in this regard.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Nayyar Abbas Syed, PhD Scholar in the Department of Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad.

Syed Nayyar Abbas is a PhD Scholar in the Department of Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad; his research includes Nuclear Export Controls and UNSC Resolution 1540. He can be reached at abbas_nayyar@hotmail.com.

References

Adolph Lowery, International Political Structures (Vancouver: Bibliotex, 2022): 100-122.

Lowery, International Political Structures, 23.

John Gerard Ruggie, “International Responses to Technology: Concepts and Trends,” International Organization 29, no.3 (Summer 1975): 570.

Office of Export Control Cooperation (OECC), “Export Control Explained,” accessed May 5, 2024, https://www.export.gov/article?id=Export-Control-Explained.

Kumar, Ranjit. Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. New Delhi, India: Dorling Kindersley Pvt. Ltd, 2011, 8-11.

Nuclearsuppliersgroup.org. “Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)” Accessed May 7, 2024. https://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/.

“Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – UNODA,” n.d., https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/.

International Atomic Energy Agency, “Export Control,” accessed May 6, 2024, https://www.iaea.org/topics/export-control.

“Safeguards and Verification,” IAEA, n.d., https://www.iaea.org/safeguards.

World Nuclear Association, “Nuclear Export Controls,” 2024, https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-reactors/nuclear-export-controls.aspx.

“Nuclear Proliferation,” Nuclear Threat Initiative, 2023, https://www.nti.org/learn/countries/.

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, “Consequences of Illicit Trafficking,” 2013, http://www.un.org/disarmament/publications/wmd/2013/chapter02.html.

“Threat of Nuclear Terrorism,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, March 31, 2016, https://carnegieendowment.org/2016/03/31/threat-of-nuclear-terrorism-pub-63190.

“Challenges to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime,” Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2019, https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2019-01/sipri19dcp.pdf.

“Resolution 1540: Sanctions,” United Nations Security Council, n.d., https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1540/.

John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (Oxford University Press, 2012).

A Hull, “Challenges to Nuclear Export Controls Posing Proliferation Risks,” Strategic Studies Quarterly 11, no. 4 (2017): 118–35.

Johnson, “Nuclear Non-Proliferation Export Control Challenges,” CNS Occasional Paper Series, 2015, https://cns.miis.edu/sites/default/files/OP34.pdf.

Masson, “Export Controls and Nonproliferation: Policy Implications from Recent Proliferation Cases.,” Global Policy 9, no. 1 (2019), https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12470.

United Nations, “Nuclear Export Controls,” n.d. https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/nuclear-export-controls/.

Arms Control Association, “Nuclear Suppliers Group,” 2011, https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/nuclearsuppliers.

“FACT SHEET: Countering Nuclear Smuggling,” whitehouse.gov, 2017, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/01/fact-sheet-countering-nuclear-smuggling.

“Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) – UNODA.”

“About NSG,” nuclearsuppliersgroup.org, n.d., https://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/en/about-nsg

“Nonproliferation Sanctions - United States Department of State,” United States Department of State, n.d., https://www.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-international-security-and-nonproliferation/nonproliferation-sanctions/.

. “Additional Protocol,” n.d.,https://www.iaea.org/topics/additional-protocol.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, “3D Printing and Proliferation: Can 3D Printers Produce Weapons of Mass Destruction?” thebulletin.org, 2013, https://thebulletin.org/2014/09/3d-printing-and-proliferation-can-3d-printers-produce-weapons-of-mass-destruction/.

Naeem Salik, The Genesis of South Asian Nuclear Deterrence: Pakistan’s Perspective (Oxford University Press, 2008); Molly MacCalman, “A.Q. Khan Nuclear Smuggling Network,” Journal of Strategic Security 9, no. 1 (March 1, 2016): 104–18, https://doi.org/10.5038/1944-0472.9.1.1506.

Ian Anthony, Christer Ahlström, and Vitaly Fedchenko, “Reforming Nuclear Export Controls: The Future of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” Sipri.Org (New York, United States of America: Oxford University Press, 2007), https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/files/RR/SIPRIRR22.pdf.

“Nuclear Terrorism,” n.d., https://www.carnegie.org/interactives/nuclear-terrorism/.

“Weapons of Mass Destruction – UNODA,” n.d., https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/.

“The Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament Regime | SIPRI,” October 31, 2023, https://www.sipri.org/research/armament-and-disarmament/nuclear-disarmament-arms-control-and-non-proliferation/nuclear-non-proliferation-disarmament-regime.

Michael Klare, “Assessing the Dangers: Emerging Military Technologies and Nuclear (in)Stability,” Armscontrol.Org (Arms Control Association, 2023), https://www.armscontrol.org/sites/default/files/files/Reports/ACA_Report_EmergingTech_digital.pdf.

International Atomic Energy Agency, “Strengthening Nuclear Security: Recommendations on Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material Out of Regulatory Controls,” iaea.org, 2020, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/2020-12/gnssnss19.pdf.

The Stimson Center, “3D Printing and Nuclear Risk: A Global Agenda,” stimson.org, 2017, https://www.stimson.org/2018/3d-printing-and-nuclear-risk-global-agenda/.

Arms Control Association, “Nuclear Export Controls and Nonproliferation,” armscontrol.org, n.d., https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/nuclearexportcontrols.

“Proliferation Security Initiative - United States Department of State,” United States Department of State, June 6, 2024, https://www.state.gov/proliferation-security-initiative/.

European Leadership Network, “Emerging Technology and Nuclear Non-Proliferation,” europeanleadershipnetwork.org, n.d., https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/issue/emerging-technology-and-nuclear-non-proliferation/.

“Resolution 1540: Sanctions,” United Nations Security Council.

International Export Control Cooperation Program, “Capacity-Building Handbook on Making Strategic Trade Control a National Priority,” exportcontrol.org, n.d., https://exportcontrol.org/sites/default/files/IECCP-CBH-for-Website-E_Introduction.pdf.

Ernst B. Haas, “Words Can Hurt You; or, Who Said What to Whom About Regimes,” International Organization 36, no. 2 (January 1, 1982): 207–43, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0020818300018932.

Published

2024-07-31

How to Cite

Syed, N. A. (2024). Strengthening Global Security: Critique on the NPT and NSG Mechanisms of Nuclear Export Control Regime. BTTN Journal , 3(1), 163–182. https://doi.org/10.61732/bj.v3i1.119

Issue

Section

Articles