Editorial Introduction: The Politics of Nuclear Technology in the Twenty-first Century

With the end of the cold war, the threat of global nuclear conflict initially appeared to fade. Since then, however, the number of states that possess nuclear weapons, or are suspected of pursuing them, has increased. Among the security challenges posed by this proliferation is the risk of non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, acquiring such weapons. But strategic concerns form only part of the role of nuclear technology in international politics, as the technology and knowledge required for military uses of nuclear technology have filtered through to civilian life, creating an abundant alternative energy resource. The use of nuclear power as part of broader strategies for promoting economic development and managing climate change has received much greater attention in recent years. These new challenges, and the often conflicting policy-making priorities they entail, call into question the roles and capabilities of existing political institutions and agreements, both domestically and internationally. In light of these problems, St Antony’s International Review (STAIR) invited researchers and policy experts to submit articles exploring different aspects of ‘The Politics of Nuclear Technology in the Twenty-first Century.’