Pakistan's History of Nuclear Proliferation
National Hero's Network Responsible For Current Atomic Tensions
Sep 12, 2008
In the recent weeks, Pakistan's role in the United States anti-terrorist conflicts has shifted from important ally to potential target. This move, while troubling in the wake of Iraq and Afghanistan, is not a surprise to those who have studied the illicit activities originating in Pakistan's norther regions. The most troubling idea to counter-terrorism strategists (nuclear terrorism) is also a concern born out of the region and vindicated by what intelligence agencies now refer to as the A.Q. Khan network. This illicit network is responsible for the nuclear programs of Iran, North Korea, and Libya; the two former being the two most concerning areas for global security.
Pakistan and India's Nuclear Race
In 1974, India tested their first nuclear weapon, prompting it's neighbor and long-time rival to rush towards obtaining the same capabilities. Searching the world for Pakistani nationals who worked in nuclear research fields they found A.Q. Khan who was persuaded to return to his country with stolen nuclear plans from the Netherlands.
In Pakistan, former president Bhutto gave Khan full sovreignty in enriching uranium and, through to the regime of Musharraf, led to his establishment of the Khan Research Laborotory and his political career as a government adviser. In 2001, financial improprieties led Musharraf to forced him out as director of the nuclear labs, however he retained his position as advisor.
The A.Q. Khan Network Exposed
By 2004, western intelligence agencies as well as the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency established Pakistani proliferation of nuclear secrets to the countries of Iran, North Korea, and Libya. It didn't take long for A.Q. Khan to be identified as the head of the network selling nuclear plans and some analysts go as far as to say that parts of the Pakistani government may also be involved.
A.Q. Khan was handled by Pakistani officials and little is known about what has been done to punish the man for his crimes. Regardless, he helped to explain how current "rogue" states such as Iran and North Korea obtained their nuclear potential. Coupled with the Taliban's routes in northern Pakistan, the world has a grim picture of Pakistan, knowingly or otherwise, as the source for many of the major global security issues we deal with today.
However, use of this intelligence within recent weeks, seen in the increasing military actions within Pakistan's borders, seems belayed to the point of futility. With U.N. and U.S. resources stretched thin in Iraq, Afghanistan, and quite possibly Georgia in the coming months, the world has waited too long to apply real pressure to an established source of terrorism in Central Asia.
