Question 1

Which of the following countries is not recognized as a legitimate nuclear power under the Non-Proliferation Treaty?

Accepted Answer

Under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), only five countries are recognized as legitimate nuclear-armed states: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. Pakistan, India, and North Korea have nuclear weapons but are not recognized as legitimate nuclear powers under the NPT because they did not sign the treaty or, in the case of North Korea, withdrew from it.

Question 2

Which of the following would be considered 'counterforce' targets?

Accepted Answer

Counterforce targets are military assets that can be targeted in a nuclear war to weaken an adversary's ability to fight back. Both military forces and communications networks are considered counterforce targets, so D is the correct answer. Cities are not typically considered counterforce targets because attacking them would primarily harm civilians and not directly affect an adversary's military capabilities.

Question 3

The number of states possessing nuclear weapons has decreased during the Second Nuclear Age, but the absolute number of nuclear weapons in the world has been increasing.

Accepted Answer

While the number of states with nuclear weapons has remained relatively stable or slightly increased since the end of the Cold War, marking the beginning of the Second Nuclear Age, the total global stockpile of nuclear weapons has been decreasing, primarily due to arms reduction agreements between the United States and Russia.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes horizontal proliferation?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal proliferation refers to an increase in the number of actors possessing nuclear weapons. This can include states that acquire nuclear weapons or non-state actors such as terrorist organizations. An increase in the number of nuclear weapons in the world (choice B) or the number of signatories to arms control agreements (choice C) is not necessarily an example of horizontal proliferation. The spread of control of nuclear weapons to different bureaucracies within a government (choice D) is more related to vertical proliferation.

Question 5

The first nuclear weapons were ________ devices.

Accepted Answer

The first nuclear weapons were fission devices, which split atoms to release energy. Thermonuclear bombs (also known as hydrogen bombs) came later and use a process called fusion to release even more energy. Megaton-yield refers to the explosive power of a weapon, not the type of weapon.

Question 6

The First Nuclear Age lasted approximately from which dates?

Accepted Answer

The First Nuclear Age is generally considered to have lasted from 1945, the year the first atomic bomb was used, to 1991, the end of the Cold War. This period is characterized by the nuclear arms race primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Question 7

The category of _______ nuclear weapons is used to designate devices intended for use against troop concentrations, ships, and similar targets. They generally are delivered using means such as short-range missiles or tactical aircraft.

Accepted Answer

The description given refers to tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed for use in battlefield situations against smaller targets. Strategic nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are designed for use against larger targets such as cities or entire enemy nations. Thermonuclear and fission refer to the type of reaction used in the weapon and are not specific to their intended use.

Question 8

According to proponents of the 'nuclear taboo', states have not used nuclear weapons since 1945 because they would most likely face international sanctions and/or other punishments.

Accepted Answer

Proponents of the 'nuclear taboo' argue that the norm against using nuclear weapons has been largely upheld since 1945 because states recognize the catastrophic consequences and potential backlash they would face if they were to use them. This backlash could indeed come in the form of international sanctions and other punishments from the international community.

Question 9

Effective enforcement of universal disarmament agreements such as the NPT has proven difficult, largely because treaties of this kind generally have weak enforcement provisions.

Accepted Answer

Universal disarmament agreements such as the NPT generally have weak enforcement provisions, which has made effective enforcement challenging.

Question 10

A __________ system is intended to intercept incoming nuclear warheads.

Accepted Answer

Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems are designed to intercept incoming ballistic missile threats, including nuclear warheads. The other options (NWD, SND, TDS) are not commonly used or recognized terms in the field of missile defense.

Quiz 11: Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty-First Century, C Dale Walton