Expert predicts nuclear weapon spread in next 10-20 years

Nuclear security expert, Harvard University researcher, and political science Ph.D. Mariana Budzherin stated that nuclear weapons remain a significant factor in international politics. She shared this opinion on Espreso TV.

"I am confident that in the next 10-20 years, we will see the spread of nuclear weapons. If it's not Iran, it will be someone else. Poland is already talking about it. A couple of years ago, we might have dismissed such statements, but now I take them quite seriously. If Iran achieves its goal and develops nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey will seriously consider it as well. It will be a domino effect, a cascade," she said.

According to expert, the world order created after World War II is cracking. And in all these cracks, certain events are happening, which in turn will have consequences, most of which are negative.

"Nuclear weapons are and remain a significant factor in international politics. We thought we could forget about them after the Cold War, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as if everything moved into different dimensions of politics. But suddenly, there’s war, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, nuclear threats, and it’s all back on the front pages. Nuclear weapons haven't disappeared. It is indeed a unique weapon with enormous potential for destruction. Yes, it is far more destructive than anything in conventional warfare. And therefore, it will remain a factor. You mentioned India and Pakistan, this is not the first clash, there’s conflict, disputed territory in Kashmir, terrorist groups working there and in both countries. And obviously, from time to time, the tension arises. But we see that since their nuclear status declaration in 1998, there has been no full-scale war. Perhaps this is the deterrence factor that works. The leaders of both countries understand that they need to be careful with large-scale military actions because it could lead to massive trouble. So, the deterrence factor seems to be working. The issue is that the more of this weapon there is, the more its bases and deployment, the more likely something could happen — this is a human creation," the nuclear energy expert noted.

• On April 21, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the agreement with Iran on comprehensive strategic partnership.
• On April 24, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu stated that Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons "in case of aggression by Western countries." He also accused Europe of preparing for war against Russia by 2030.
• On April 26, another round of indirect negotiations took place in Muscat, Oman, between U.S. and Iranian representatives. The parties agreed to meet again next week.