Summary
Although nearly fifty countries have a nuclear capacity, and many more are working towards this goal, only a few are actually in possession of nuclear weapons. Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons addresses the problem of how to prevent the wide acquisition of such weapons, and is particularly relevant in light of the collapse of the post-war power structure and the intensive militarization of the Middle East.
 
In this study, David Fischer surveys the success of the international regime set up to stop the spread of nuclear weapons since the mid-1960s. He gives particular emphasis to the fact that 138 nations have renounced the bomb since 1968 and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the non-proliferation treaty. Fischer sets forth the reasons that the membership should extend to France and China, and discusses the 1995 conference that will decide the future of this treaty.
 
Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons provides evidence of the relationship between the development of nuclear power and the acquisition of nuclear weapons and of the dangers involved in the growing use of plutonium and the building of nuclear submarines. David Fischer provides a detailed and comprehensive view of the ongoing conflict between nuclear deterrence and non-proliferation, and examines both the short- and long-term prospects for non-proliferation.