Abstract:This paper examines the interplay between realism (as seen in the quest for countries to develop and possess nuclear weapons) and idealism (as seen in the activities of multilateral agencies in the United Nations system that aim to enhance cooperation by state actors in the international arena). Based on qualitative data, systematically derived from secondary sources, the paper argues that contentions exist between countries around the securing or building of nuclear weapons. States have tried to buildup nuclear weapons, regardless of whether the Cold War has ended. Relations between nations have been strained by the quest of nuclear weapons advancement by countries. The work suggests, among others, the dismantling of nuclear weapons under multilateral international supervision.
KEYWORDS: Nuclear weapons, Cold war, Bilateral Relations, Nations
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