Nuclear Detectives

Updated: August 05, 2008

You're heard the phrase, "weapons of mass destruction" thousands of times, but how much do you really know about nuclear weapons and the politics surrounding them? Though there's been a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty on nuclear bomb testing in the past (meaning countries are not allowed to test weapons of mass destruction), North Korea tested two nuclear weapons in May 2009, sparking fear and controversy across the globe.

The CTBT was created to protect the environment, the world population's health and safety, and to promote peace. Arms bearing nations like China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States first signed the CTBT in 1968.

More recently the treaty was ratified to include 44 nations, but for the current treaty to take effect, all must sign it. Though several recent treaties outlaw some types of testing, there is no full-fledged ban in place against testing nuclear weapons across the globe.

Some nations, like Antarctica and Africa, are Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, places where no nuclear weapons, testing or development exist according to the United Nations and their efforts towards nuclear disarmament.