nuclearization
Gaining atomic weapons
Nuclearization is the process of acquiring or developing nuclear weapons capability.
A country undergoes nuclearization when it builds or obtains nuclear arms: The nuclearization of the Korean peninsula remains a major security concern.
The term also applies to adopting nuclear power for energy, though the weapons sense dominates in political discourse.
To distribute widely
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- warheadsExplosive missile components
missiles · stockpile · nonproliferation · treaty · fissionable · reactors · IAEA · centrifuge
Progressive increase in intensity
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- missile gapAlleged shortfall in warheads
- parityState of being equal
START · SALT · arms control · verification · disarmament · bilateral
Controlled fission apparatus
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
plutonium · thorium · megawatt · radioactive waste · breeder reactor · cooling tower · containment vessel · fuel rods
Supreme independent authority
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- security councilBody overseeing safety matters
- treatiesFormal agreements between states
international pressure · regional stability · great powers · alliance · isolation · bargaining chip · prestige · national security
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- second strikeResponse to initial attack
- balance of powerEqual distribution of influence
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- counterforceMilitary-targeted strike capability
retaliation · preemptive strike · credibility · containment · intercontinental ballistic missile · survivability
spread
To distribute widely
- enrichmentImprovement through addition
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
warheads · missiles · stockpile · nonproliferation · treaty · fissionable · reactors · IAEA · centrifuge · rogue states
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- superpowersCapabilities beyond human limits
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- missile gapAlleged shortfall in warheads
parity · START · SALT · arms control · verification · disarmament · bilateral
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- power plantFacility producing electrical energy
electricity · plutonium · thorium · megawatt · radioactive waste · breeder reactor · cooling tower · containment vessel · fuel rods · meltdown
sovereignty
Supreme independent authority
- sanctionsPunitive international restrictions
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- security councilBody overseeing safety matters
treaties · international pressure · regional stability · great powers · alliance · isolation · bargaining chip · prestige · national security · diplomatic leverage
mutual assured destruction
Reciprocal annihilation prevents war
- second strikeResponse to initial attack
- balance of powerEqual distribution of influence
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
counterforce · retaliation · preemptive strike · credibility · containment · intercontinental ballistic missile · survivability
nuclearizationdenuclearization
Removal of atomic weapons
nuclear disarmament · disarmament · nonproliferation · arms reduction · demilitarization
nuclear, nucleus, nucleate, antinuclear, nucleated, nonnuclear, nuclearize