Bridled Ambition: Why Countries Constrain Their Nuclear Capabilities - Brossura

Reiss worked for the National Security Council on nonproliferation issues and thus brings a wealth of inside information to this study. Reiss examines nine countries that have voluntarily constrained, frozen, or eliminated their nuclear weapons programs. These counties are South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Belorus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, and North Korea... Reiss has added an important contribution to the research of nuclear nonproliferation and shown us that occasionally deproliferation is a viable policy option.

Drawing on hundreds of interviews with officials in several nations and previously classified information, Mr. Reiss explains why nine countries―South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, and North Korea―have either capped, curtailed, or rolled back their nuclear weapons programs.

Michael Reiss's work is an excellent, detailed and well-documented story of why some states... have subsequently abandoned their nuclear ambitions.

A thought-provoking work―one that offers some useful balm to the fevered discourse over nuclear proliferation... A valuable and well-written reminder that in fighting the world's fight we cannot ignore our occasional clear and even partial successes.

At a time when nuclear proliferation is becoming an increasingly ominous threat to global stability, Mitchell Reiss's book provides the much-needed perspective. Thoroughly researched, systematic and probing in analysis, and significant in its conclusions.

Judiciously lays out the wins and draws of recent nonproliferation efforts, drawing our attention to the good policies and good fortune that can play a role in this struggle.

Matching a critical eye with meticulous research, Reiss slices through diplomatic smokescreens and uncovers a wealth of new information about nuclear programs in nine countries.

Mitchell Reiss is a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a consultant to the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.