On January 10th, 2006, Iranian officials broke through the seals on nuclear power plants, and aroused a worldwide sense of panic. The plants are active again, but Iran maintains that they are simply developing a source of energy. They deny plans to use this technology to create weapons. However, there has been evidence to the contrary: they are refusing to allow inspection of some sites, and American intelligence has found designs for nuclear missiles in Iranian computer files. The world has already seen the devastating capabilities of nuclear weapons. So why are Iran and other nations able to produce nuclear energy that could so easily turn the world into a pockmarked wasteland?

The Non-Proliferation Treaty was intended to negotiate this slippery slope. It was created in 1968, and a total of 187 nations signed it, including Iran. Member nations agreed to stop creating nuclear weapons, and to work to reduce and liquidate existing stockpiles. The Treaty is based on the fear of mutually assured destruction. Nations may create greater nuclear weapon capabilities if they feel that their neighbors are creating them. If left unchecked, this will pattern will continue, and both sides will eventually have a volatile stock of world-annihilating power.

However, the NPT does not demand that nuclear technology and usage be abandoned. Nuclear power is an unfortunate but highly valuable energy source. Nuclear energy is emission free. It generates an enormous amount of power in a relatively small space and time, and will be a viable option for potentially thousands of years to come. The US currently gets 20% of its power from nuclear energy, while France gets almost 80%, and the numbers are growing all the time. Because of its usefulness, the Treaty allows for, and encourages, proper development of nuclear power.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the watchdog of nuclear power. Their job is, essentially, to ensure that nations are abiding by the Treaty: they ensure that nations are developing nuclear energy for only peaceful purposes. They have the power to conduct searches and issue safeguards.

The IAEA will be meeting on February 2nd to investigate Iran. The onus is now not only on Iran to prove that it has purely peaceful motives, but also on the IAEA to prove that it has the power to stop a rogue nation.

Originally published by InternationalistMag.com on January 20, 2006