User:Faytil/Nunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction

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As time marches on, additional independent countries outside of the former Soviet Union are finding ways to produce and test weapons of mass destruction. In an attempt to regulate WMD globally, the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction has stepped outside of the former Soviet Union states. 2003 marked an important year for CTR expansion as the initiative was accepted by congress allowing the spread to countries not included within the prior Soviet Union.

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Over time the Nunn-Lugar CTR has received many supporters and also many critics. Continuation and expansion has been up for debate since its initial formation in 1991. Proponents argue that the CTR does more good than harm which has lead to funding expansion. This expansion of the program is displayed in the 1997 Defense Authorization Act whose purposed served in securing chemical and biological weapon materials. In contrast, opponents object to the CTR stating that the United States funding is going to other Russian programs.

Libya
In 2003 Libya decided upon giving up on their nuclear weapons program. Funding from the Nunn-Lugar CTR allowed for secure transportation of nuclear materials from Libya to the United States.

Albania
Nunn-Lugar CTR funds in the year 2004 were provided to eradicate chemical weapons held within Albania. After just 3 years Albania no longer possessed chemical weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, knowledge regarding Pakistani nuclear weaponry and nuclear scientists was unclear making it a strong candidate from American political leaders for the Nunn-Lugar CTR program. Border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan militants made U.S. officials uneasy, this alongside the allegations of nuclear arms smuggling caused further talk of Nunn-Lugar program expansion in 2011. Senator Richard Lugar has expressed his concern regarding Pakistani nuclear weapons of mass destruction along with concerns over potential pathogenic and infectious disease security.