A New Grand Bargain

While justifiably credited with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, the grand bargain codified in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is beginning to fray from various fissures and the evolving international threat environment.1 Some have come to see the grand bargain stipulation that permits all states to pursue nuclear energy for peaceful purposes as a loophole that allows states to develop nuclear weapons capabilities under the guise of a peaceful nuclear program, and then withdraw from the NPT when they decide to develop weapons. In addition to this perceived loophole, there is growing discontent among non-nuclear weapon states about a perceived lack of progress towards disarmament. These concerns, as well as fears about the growing threats of nuclear terrorism and illicit nuclear trafficking, are creating a tense atmosphere among the international community about the future of the nonproliferation regime. Although these concerns have galvanized the international community to act, there is a lack of agreement about exactly what should be done. Perhaps an old solution is the key to securing the future of the nonproliferation regime. This paper identifies some of the options for a new grand bargain.