Nuclear Proliferation/WMD Flashcards
What is the Manhatten project?
The Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons
What is the Cuban missile crisis?
The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962 when the Soviet Union began to install nuclear missiles in Cuba. The United States refused to allow this and, after thirteen tense days and many secret negotiations, the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles. This is perhaps the closest that the United States and the Soviet Union came to nuclear war during the Cold war.
What is the first test trinity?
Trinity was the code name of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon. It was conducted by the United States Army at 5:29 am on July 16, 1945, as part of the Manhattan Project.
What happened at the Chernobyl 1986 nuclear disaster?
- Reactor design flaws + Operators arranged the core in manner contrary to stress test checklist
- Led to uncontrolled reaction conditions + steam explosion
- Nuclear fission products flew into the atmosphere for 9+ days
- x400 times more radioactive material than Hiroshima
- Fall-out spread across western Soviet Union and most of Europe
- 100,000km² of land contaminated
- Soviet government initially hid the event; it was discovered two days after the explosion
- Disagreement re human casualties: at least 4,000 people + massive increase in birth deformities and cases of thyroid cancer
- Huge symbolic significance: decline of USSR; dangers of nuclear power
- Reactor no 3 continued working until 2000
What is the nuclear Triad?
- Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
- Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)
- Nuclear Bombers
Three ways in which nuclear weapons can be delivered
Intermediate range ballistic missiles
(IRBMS) 3,000- 5,000km
Theatre Ballistic Missiles (TMBs):
- Medium Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) (1,000 – 3,000 km)
- Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs) (300 – 1,000 km)
Tactical Ballistic Missile (Battlefield-Range Ballistic Missile (BRBMs):
up to 300 km
What happened at the Reykjavik Summit in (Hofdi House, October 1986)?
- Proposal for total nuclear disarmament of the two superpowers
- Negotiation failed because Gorbachev insisted that it should include the anti-missile shield (‘Star Wars’ system), which Reagan was very keen on
- However, the summit set the foundations for major nuclear non-proliferation / reduction treaties and diplomatic steps taken over the next few years; it consolidated the “thawing” of relations between the USA and the USSR
What is the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)?
It was between the USSR and USA
- A 1987 agreement which eliminated all nuclear and conventional missiles as their launches with ranges of 500-1000km (short range) and 1,000 -5,500 km (intermediate range)
What did Russia do in February 2017?
Russia deploys missile that violates treaty, the missile was initially tested in 2014 and Obama tried to advise Russia to correct the violation but the Russians moved ahead with the system
What is the nuclear non proliferation treaty? (1968) NPT
An international treaty whos objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarment
How often is the NPT reviewed?
Every 5 years
How many signatories does NPT have?
190 signatories
What countries havent signed NPT?
Haven’t signed:
- India, Pakistan: openly possess and test nuclear weapons
- Israel: policy of “opacity” (= common secret)
- South Sudan
