Defining the new initiatives of struggle against the proliferation of arms of massive destruction

The author discusses the various terms of the concept of 'new initiatives of struggle against arms of massive destruction' by discussing how these initiatives are new, how they address new threats (State-based proliferation of AMD, terrorism of massive destruction). He comments the background of these initiatives which may be launched to respond to a specific threat or to implement specific means of struggle. He identifies the main characteristics of these political or institutional initiatives: they are pragmatic, functional, instrumental, have different scopes, are based on an institutional flexibility, and on cooperation and partnership. For different of these initiatives (Proliferation Security Initiative, Container Security Initiative, Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, and so on), the author indicates whether they are unilateral, bilateral, supported by regional organisations, by the UN, by operational international organisations, or inter-governmental groups. He finally outlines questions raised by these initiatives: how to assess their impact? Must they be more integrated? Can they or must they have a better defined role in the global regime of non proliferation and disarmament?