Topic: Globalization Flashcards
What’s the global passenger volume?
(2023)
8.6 billion passengers
https://aci.aero/2023/09/27/latest-air-travel-outlook-reveals-2024-to-be-a-milestone-for-global-passenger-traffic/
How many refugees are there?
25-30 million
p159
What is the value of goods traded?
$20 trillion
p159
Define geopolitics
the competition among countries for power and influence
p161
What term is used in international relations to describe the spreading of military technology or systems?
Proliferation
p173
Differentiate between vertical and horizontal proliferation
Vertical: A country adding to or improving its existing capability
Horizontal: A country adding a new category to its arsenal
p173
How many countries have nuclear weapons?
Nine
What is the (minority) view that proliforation is a good thing?
Acts as a deterrent (like it did during the Cold War)
p173
Why is proliforation (likely) dangerous?
- Deterrence only works if arsenal is big enough to survive the first attack
- Incentives for preemptive strikes
- May fall into the wrong hands
p174
What were the main points of the Non-Proliforation Treaty (NPT) of 1970?
5 points
- Nuclear weapon states not to help others get nuclear weapon capabilities
- Nuclear weapon states to move towards ridding themselves of them
- Non nuclear weapon states should not produce them
- Access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is guaranteed
- Non-nuclear weapon states must allow for inspections by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Who did not join the NPT?
Israel, India, Pakistan
Who left the NPT?
North Korea
Left in 2003
In what way does the IAEA lack teeth?
It can inspect only those facilities admitted by the country. It is based on an honour system
p176
What’s the difference between natural uranium and enriched uranium?
Enriched uranium has higher percentage of the isotope Uranium-235
What were the names of the two atomic bombs used against Japan?
Little Boy
Fat Man
What other elemnt (apart from Uranium) can be used for atomic bombs?
Plutonium
How is uranium typically enriched nowadays?
Gas centrifuge
What’s the difference in materials between weapon and energy atomic use cases?
The enrichment levels of uranium for weapons and nuclear energy are significantly different:
Nuclear Weapons: Uranium used in nuclear weapons is highly enriched, typically containing 90% or more of the fissile isotope Uranium-235 (U-235). This high level of enrichment is necessary to achieve the critical mass required for a nuclear explosion.
Nuclear Energy: In contrast, uranium used in nuclear power plants for energy production is low-enriched. The enrichment level of U-235 in this uranium is usually between 3% to 5%. This level is sufficient to sustain a controlled nuclear chain reaction for energy production but too low for the explosive chain reaction necessary in nuclear weapons.
What’s JCPOA?
- Joint Comprehesnive Plan of Action
- 2015
- Iran accepts limits on its limits to produce/store fuel for nuclear bomb
- Most sanctions removed from Iran
Is the USA part of JCPOA?
It pulled out in 2018
Biden has expressed interest in rejoining if Iran complies with the deal (it is currently beyond its limits)
Which 9 countries have nuclear weapons?
USA
China
Russia
France
UK
India
Pakistan
Israel
North Korea
Which countries have given up their nuclear weapons?
South Africa - late 1980’s (b/c of sanctions)
Ukraine (inherited weapons with breakup of Soviet Union)
Libya (sanctions and threat of attack)
Iraq
Who are the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council?
USA
China
Russia
France
UK
How many international migrants are there in the world?
281m
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/migration
