Question 1

In Latin America, South East Asia, and Central Asia, the trend has been away from developing the regions as nuclear-weapons-free zones and towards 'nuclearization'.

Accepted Answer

Latin America, South East Asia, and Central Asia have established nuclear-weapons-free zones through treaties such as the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the Treaty of Bangkok, and the Treaty of Semipalatinsk, respectively, promoting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in these regions.

Question 2

Horizontal proliferation refers to increases in the size of existing nuclear arsenals, while vertical proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons to new countries.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons to new countries, while vertical proliferation refers to increases in the size or capabilities of existing nuclear arsenals.

Question 3

Nuclear technology is dual-use, meaning it can be used either to generate energy or to make a weapon.

Accepted Answer

Nuclear technology has both civilian and military applications, allowing for the generation of electricity as well as the creation of nuclear weapons.

Question 4

Developing nuclear weapons capabilities involves two technologically complex steps: obtaining weapons-grade fissile material and weaponizing that material by making it into a warhead that can be delivered to its target.

Accepted Answer

The process of developing nuclear weapons involves both obtaining weapons-grade fissile material, such as highly enriched uranium or plutonium, and then weaponizing this material by designing and manufacturing a warhead capable of delivering the explosive nuclear material to a target, often involving complex delivery systems like missiles.

Question 5

The term 'counter-proliferation' describes efforts to obstruct, slow, or roll back the programs of states that are actively pursuing nuclear weapons, as well as to deter and defend against their actual use.

Accepted Answer

Counter-proliferation refers to strategies and actions to prevent, hinder, or reverse the spread of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, focusing on states or entities seeking such capabilities.

Question 6

Which of the following states has given up its nuclear weapons?

Accepted Answer

All of the options given are correct. South Africa voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program in the early 1990s. Kazakhstan and Ukraine inherited nuclear weapons after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and decided to return them to Russia or dismantle them, joining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as non-nuclear-weapon states.

Question 7

What are the five 'official' nuclear-weapons states, as first identified in the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968?

Accepted Answer

The five 'official' nuclear-weapons states as recognized by the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968 are the United States, Russia (formerly USSR), China, the United Kingdom, and France.

Question 8

Which term describes a country that possesses the necessary capabilities to quickly assemble nuclear weapons but has never done so?

Accepted Answer

Latent nuclear capacity refers to a country's ability to quickly develop nuclear weapons if it decides to do so, based on its existing technological, material, and scientific capabilities, without having actually built any nuclear weapons.

Question 9

Which 2015 agreement limits Iran's enrichment activities in exchange for lifting sanctions?

Accepted Answer

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed upon in 2015, limits Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Question 10

Which term describes the argument that nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945 because of a strong normative belief that they should not be used, rather than a rational calculation of the costs and benefits of using them?

Accepted Answer

The term "nuclear taboo" refers to the strong normative belief against the use of nuclear weapons, suggesting that moral and ethical considerations, rather than just strategic calculations, have prevented their use since World War II.

Question 11

Which country conducted a 'peaceful' nuclear test explosion in 1974?

Accepted Answer

India conducted a 'peaceful' nuclear test explosion in 1974, which it named "Smiling Buddha."

Question 12

Which counter-proliferation effort seeks to ban the use, possession, development, testing, transfer, and deployment of nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds?

Accepted Answer

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the only option listed that specifically seeks to ban the use, possession, development, testing, transfer, and deployment of nuclear weapons based on humanitarian grounds.

Question 13

Who argues that gradual nuclearization, whereby more countries obtain nuclear weapons, will contribute to stability?

Accepted Answer

Kenneth Waltz argues that the spread of nuclear weapons can lead to greater stability because countries will act more cautiously to avoid nuclear conflict.

Question 14

Which states are not currently signatories to the NPT?

Accepted Answer

India, Pakistan, and Israel are not signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). These countries have nuclear weapons capabilities but have chosen not to join the NPT, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Question 15

A nuclear weapon produces energy in what form?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear weapons produce energy in all the mentioned forms: a blast (shockwave), thermal radiation (heat), and nuclear radiation (ionizing radiation), making all the options correct.

Quiz 29: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction