Pakistan and the new nuclear taboo

Más información sobre el libro

This book examines Pakistan’s nuclear behaviour from the 1950s in the context of the global non-proliferation system. The author explores how Pakistan's actions were integrated into this regime and why it failed to prevent the country from pursuing nuclear capabilities. To fully grasp Pakistan’s nuclear policy, the Indian case is also considered, offering a comprehensive scholarly account of both nations' technological advancements leading to their nuclear weapons development and their challenges with the NPT. The work analyzes the proliferation activities of Pakistan’s prominent scientist, Dr. A. Q. Khan, the country's nuclear behaviour following the exposure of these activities, and recent global counter-proliferation measures. The security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and its reliability within the international community are critical issues discussed. The argument is made that a new nuclear taboo against proliferation has emerged, with Pakistan playing a pivotal role since 2004 in establishing this taboo to mitigate nuclear risks regionally and globally. The ‘three models’ approach used in this analysis provides a comprehensive and contemporary theoretical perspective on Pakistan’s nuclear behaviour and sheds light on nuclear policy dynamics and the influence of international institutions on state conduct in other regions.