The Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime #258004

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the structure, provisions, and political bargains of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

• Evaluate the role and function of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in verifying compliance with non-proliferation commitments through its safeguards system.

• Differentiate between the various components of the regime, including export control groups (e.g., NSG, Zangger Committee), nuclear-weapon-free zones, and bilateral arms control agreements.

• Assess the major challenges to the regime, including cases of non-compliance, the problem of states outside the NPT, and the proliferation of sensitive nuclear technologies.

• Critically examine the ongoing tensions between the three pillars of the NPT: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

• Formulate informed perspectives on current debates and the future of the non-proliferation regime.

This course is designed for professionals and students who need a sophisticated understanding of nuclear policy and international security:

• Diplomats and Foreign Service Officers

• Policy Makers and Government Officials in defense, foreign affairs, and energy

• Military Officers and Strategic Analysts

• Journalists and Researchers covering international security and nuclear issues

• Employees of international organizations (e.g., UN, IAEA)

• Nuclear Industry Professionals in regulatory or policy roles

• Graduate Students in international relations, security studies, or political science

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Foundation: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

• Morning Session: The Genesis of the Regime

  • The Historical Context: Why the NPT was created (Cuban Missile Crisis, fears of widespread proliferation).

  • The Grand Bargain: Understanding the negotiation and the trade-offs between Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) and Non-Nuclear-Weapon States (NNWS).

• Afternoon Session: Deconstructing the NPT

  • Article-by-Article Analysis: Key obligations (Articles I, II, III, IV, VI).

  • The Three Pillars: Non-proliferation, Disarmament, and Peaceful Uses.

  • Workshop: Debate the successes and failures of the NPT from the perspective of different state groupings.

Day 2: The Verifier: The IAEA and Safeguards

• Morning Session: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

  • Mandate and Structure: The Board of Governors, Secretariat, and General Conference.

  • The IAEA’s Dual Mission: Promoting peaceful uses and preventing proliferation.

• Afternoon Session: The Safeguards System

  • Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements (CSA) and the Additional Protocol (AP): Objectives, legal basis, and implementation.

  • Tools of Verification: Material accounting, containment, surveillance, and environmental sampling.

  • Case Study: Examine how IAEA safeguards are applied to a specific type of nuclear facility (e.g., enrichment plant).

Day 3: Strengthening the Regime: Export Controls, NWFZs, and Treaties

• Morning Session: Controlling Nuclear Trade

  • Multilateral Export Control Regimes: The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Committee.

  • National Implementation: How countries control nuclear-related exports.

• Afternoon Session: Regional and Bilateral Measures

  • Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZ): Treaties of Tlatelolco, Pelindaba, Rarotonga, etc.

  • Bilateral Arms Control: New START, INF Treaty (historical context).

  • Exercise: Map the global network of NWFZs and analyze their contribution to regional and global security.

Day 4: Contemporary Challenges and Crises

• Morning Session: Cases of Non-Compliance and Non-Participation

  • Case Studies: Analyzing the nuclear programs of North Korea (DPRK), Iran, and Iraq (historical).

  • The Challenge of States Outside the NPT: India, Pakistan, Israel.

• Afternoon Session: Emerging Challenges

  • The Dual-Use Dilemma: The spread of enrichment and reprocessing technologies.

  • Nuclear Terrorism and the Security of Materials.

  • Simulation: Participate in a mock meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to discuss a compliance crisis.

Day 5: The Future of the Regime and Capstone

• Morning Session: The Disarmament Debate and Treaty Initiatives

  • Article VI and the Disarmament Pillar: Progress and frustrations.

  • The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): Goals, arguments for and against, and relationship to the NPT.

• Afternoon Session: Course Synthesis and Capstone

  • Final Debate: Is the nuclear non-proliferation regime in crisis? How can it be strengthened?

  • Future Outlook: The impact of new technologies (e.g., AI, cyber) and great power competition.

  • Course Recap: Key takeaways and resources for further study.

  • Final Q&A and Certification.