Can the IAEA Really Cope with More Nuclear States?

The International Atomic Energy Agency will confront new proliferation risks if its safeguards system must operate in a world with more nuclear facilities in more and riskier places. The usual suggestions for upgrading IAEA safeguards focus on increasing the agency’s resources and improving technology. Yet improved technology and more resources for inspections will not help unless the agency can develop standards to gauge the strength of the safeguards system, and unless countries confront the problem of what to do after the IAEA detects a violation.