Pakistan’s Nuclear Bomb A Story of Defiance, Deterrence, and Deviance, book discussion w Hassan Abbas, National Defense Univ. DC

Pakistan?s Nuclear Bomb
A Story of Defiance, Deterrence, and Deviance

By Hassan Abbas
Professor, The College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University

Moderator & Discussant: Peter Bergen, Vice President, New America

WHEN: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

WHERE: Marshall Hall, National Defense University Library, Special Collections

BOOK SUMMARY: This book provides a comprehensive account of the mysterious story of Pakistan?s attempt to develop nuclear weapons in the face of severe odds. Hassan Abbas profiles the politicians and scientists involved, and the role of China and Saudi Arabia in supporting Pakistan?s nuclear infrastructure. Abbas also unravels the motivations behind the Pakistani nuclear physicist Dr A. Q. Khan?s involvement in nuclear proliferation in Iran, Libya and North Korea, drawing on extensive interviews. He argues that the origins and evolution of the Khan network were tied to the domestic and international political motivations underlying Pakistan?s nuclear weapons project, and that project?s organization, oversight and management. The ties between the making of the Pakistani bomb and the proliferation that then ensued have not yet been fully illuminated or understood, and this book?s disclosures have important lessons. The Khan proliferation breach remains of vital importance for understanding how to stop such transfers of sensitive technology in future.

Finally, the book examines the prospects for nuclear safety in Pakistan, considering both Pakistan?s nuclear control infrastructure and the threat posed by the Taliban and other extremist groups to the country?s nuclear assets.

MORE EVENTS