The politics of nuclear weapons proliferation is high on the international agenda. Deep divisions have emerged between the nuclear 'haves' and 'have-notes' over the appropriate next steps in arms control and disarmament.

For thirty years, the international community's main response to the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation has been to strengthen the institutions and agreements based around the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). But the NPT is under stress. Several states refuse to join the regime; others are attempting to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. Tensions between the major powers - such as recent debates over missile defence - threaten to undermine the non-proliferation norm.

In this book, a group of Australian and international scholars analyse some of the key issues in the nuclear non-proliferation debate. The book contains three parts. In the first, the conceptual and legal foundations of nuclear arms control and non-proliferation are examined. Part two looks at the non-proliferation agenda from the perspective of individual countries or regions, with the situation in Asia as a primary focus. The final part of the book explores how new and unconventional diplomatic approaches to nuclear arms control and disarmament are changing the international negotiating environment.

Carl Ungerer is a doctoral candidate at the University of Queensland and a senior analyst at the Australian Office of National Assessments.

Marianne Hanson is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Queensland and Co-Director of the University's Rotary Centre for International Studies. She has published widely in the field of international security.