21st Annual Student Research Conference
Inevitable Instability? Historical Issues Concerning Nuclear
Development In The Middle East
Christopher P. Peterson
Dr. Thomas Zoumaras, Faculty Mentor
During the past 60 years, one of the most potent international issues has been nuclear proliferation. While great strides have been made towards increasing worldwide nuclear safety through the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nonproliferation Treaty, nuclear security remains as important an issue today as ever before. The Middle East has long been an unstable and war-stricken region, and the possibility of peaceful nuclear energy developing is closely related to resolution of the myriad of issues surrounding these nations. Historical problems that complicate nuclear development include the fractured nature of the region, the presence and growth of radical Islamic terrorist groups, the unresolved Israel-Palestine issue, previous proliferation violations from local nations and rogue regimes, and the lack of clear, enforceable international guidelines for nuclear material and technology transfer. These are problems that must be understood and resolved before the prospect of a secure nuclear Middle East becomes a reality, but the current nuclear framework of the region presents a huge obstacle for the hope of a lasting peace.
Keywords: Middle East, Nuclear, Israel, Iran, Pakistan
Topic(s):History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 7-5
Location: OP 2111
Time: 9:15