The 12018457937429th Problem that the United States Made Worse

Not that I’m comparing the Middle East, North Korea, and India to your average rebellious teenager, but in the scheme of well-established countries with nuclear weapons and industry, North Korea, India, and Middle Eastern countries like Libya, Iran, Pakistan are toying immaturely with very serious machinery. Their seemingly flippant attitude towards the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and precarious testing in oceans near neighboring countries is the most important issue in world politics today because it threatens the lives of innocent citizens. Mostly because of terrorism.

Iran breaks more rules than the number of pant-suits in Hilary Clinton’s closet. The IAEA was created to ensure the safe use of anything nuclear—a well intentioned body. Yet still Iran dubs the IAEA “illegal”, violates safeguards, and enriches as much uranium as it pleases. Iran refuses to comment on the facilities that clearly have no use for anything other than bomb building. When the UN and United States do not sufficiently reprimand Iran, other nations attempt to slide by the rules themselves. Rules only work when they’re enforced.

China, while not a rule breaker in terms of nuclear policy itself, petulantly sells (or gifts) nuclear reactors to other nations, such as Pakistan, as a jab at the United States. However, the United States can’t realistically comment (or punish China for supplying nuclear reactors to taboo countries like Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea), because the United States forced the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) to exempt India from the protocols that everyone else had to follow. If the U.S. broke a rule for India, China can break it for Pakistan in just another show-down of political clout. China has further supplied Pakistan with the design of a missile-mounted warhead, which has somehow made it’s way into Libya, Iran, and one can only imagine where else! In addition, North Korea hides behind “civilian nuclear work” and then tests bombs in South Korea’s backyard.

I’m not insinuating that nuclear weapons and power shouldn’t be allowed in the world because they are the Ace of Spades when it comes to weapons and energy solutions. Nuclear weapons and their counterparts for nuclear energy (such as Uranium) should just be highly regulated so as not go get in the wrong hands (read: terrorists).


http://www.economist.com/node/16426072?story_id=16426072