Uranium power and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons

Only a few nonnuclear weapons states with uranium-fueled power plants have kept the weapons option open, and gives evidence of activities intended to divert fissionable material from its civilian system. Analysis of alternative strategies shows that the acquisition of nuclear weapons material would probably depend on military production facilities rather than diversion. Horizontal proliferation is primarily a political issue, and is related only marginally to uranium power development. Restrictions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act on the supply of equipment and fuel by the US appear to have led some nonnuclear weapons states to build small-scale facilities that can be modified for the production of weapons material, however. More attention should be given to the international political, economic, and military factors that persuade such states to forego nuclear weapons. 19 references