Irreversible Disarmament and Verification: Guidance from IAEA Safeguards

Abstract

The safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) might inform a future verification regime for global nuclear disarmament that emphasizes irreversibility. This paper explores aspects of a verification mechanism for nuclear disarmament where the IAEA’s experience may be relevant: scope and purpose of verification; starting point and termination of safeguards; verification processes; conclusion-drawing; and compliance.

Keywords

• Nuclear verification
• IAEA safeguards
• nuclear disarmament