BOOK REVIEW: THE NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS AND NONPROLIFERATION: INTERNATIONAL POLICY CHOICES

This comprehensive book review critically examines "The Nuclear Suppliers and Nonproliferation: International Policy Choices," analyzing its contributions to understanding the role of nuclear supplier states in the global nonproliferation regime during the mid-1980s. The review assesses the books analysis of supplier group dynamics, export control mechanisms, and the tension between commercial interests and nonproliferation objectives. The analysis examines how the book interprets the evolution of nuclear supplier coordination from the Zangger Committee to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and evaluates its assessment of policy effectiveness. The article evaluates the treatment of key supplier states including the United States, Soviet Union, Western European countries, and emerging suppliers in the developing world. The review also assesses the books policy recommendations for strengthening the nonproliferation regime and identifies areas where the analysis could be extended or alternative perspectives considered.

The nuclear nonproliferation regime faced significant challenges during the mid-1980s, with this review providing a critical examination of how "The Nuclear Suppliers and Nonproliferation" addresses the role of supplier states in this crucial policy area. The review begins by situating the book within the broader literature on nuclear nonproliferation, analyzing how it contributes to understanding the supply-side dimensions of proliferation challenges. The analysis examines the books treatment of supplier group dynamics, assessing how it explains the coordination mechanisms, decision-making processes, and internal tensions within the Nuclear Suppliers Group and related arrangements. The review evaluates the analysis of export control systems, examining how the book assesses the effectiveness of trigger lists, safeguard requirements, and other nonproliferation tools. The article assesses the books coverage of key supplier states, analyzing how it explains the policies of established nuclear powers, Western European suppliers, and emerging suppliers from developing countries. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the review identifies the books major contributions to nonproliferation scholarship and suggests areas for further research and policy development. The analysis contributes to academic and policy discourse by providing a systematic evaluation of how nuclear supplier responsibilities were being understood and addressed during a period of significant proliferation challenges.