IAEA Seeking Tougher Nuclear Safeguards

The United States has recently strengthened its nuclear-safeguards agreement. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is enthusiastic about this, since additional countries are expected to jump aboard and toughen their own policies as a result. Also, president-elect Obama supports the proposed doubling of IAEA's budget by 2020 in order to help the organization's inspectors' work.

IAEA's main aim is to make sure that countries obey the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). As of 1997, in light of Saddam Hussein's ability to cheat inspectors while pursuing secret bomb projects prior to 1991, a tougher set of safeguards has been adopted. The new rules enable inspectors to investigate with shorter notice, have access to more information, and employ better techniques in their investigations.

Unfortunately, agreeing to the treaty is voluntary, and less than half the world's governments enforce an Additional Protocol. Of the 100-plus countries that have not agreed to the treaty, some of them are suspected to possess misusable nuclear materials or technology. Some notable countries that have not signed include Iran, North Korea, and Syria. In attempt to ensure compliance, the UN Security Council could potentially engage a binding process for non-joining countries. This would allow investigators to inspect areas in question and take the necessary, additional steps in targeting the misuse of nuclear materials and technology.