International Cooperation for Nuclear Security: Designing a New Architecture Based on Lessons from Prior Experiences

This paper identifies creative but practical suggestions for promoting future international cooperation in the realm of nuclear security based on a review of relevant lessons from prior bilateral and multilateral experiences. In addition to lessons derived from the Nuclear Security Summit process, the paper examines both the positive and negative experiences associated with UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Lessons from these diverse cases are reviewed with an eye to making recommendations about an effective architecture for promoting nuclear security following the conclusion of the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands. (author)