Main aim of this master's thesis is to answer the following research question: How to deal with nuclear Iran? Author explores this vast topic through lens of a neorealist paradigm in order to analyze the impact of Russia's and US influence over Israeli-Iranian rivalry in the Middle East. Discourse analysis has been chosen as a methodological blueprint to examine strategic dimension of Israeli-Iranian relations with a special emphasis on its nuclear dimension. In addition, a comparison of both possible military and peaceful solutions of Iranian nuclear program is stressed. Main empirical data used are infamous Israeli air-strikes on nuclear reactors of its neighbors; Osirak and Al-Kibar. Deterrence theory, especially its conventional realm, provides a basis for an assessment of strategic balance between State of Israel an Islamic Republic of Iran, in case Iran emerges as a nuclear power.

Background: Nuclear and conventional weapons industry workers are at risk for exposures to beryllium, asbestos, high explosives and barium, all of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis. Beryllium has also been shown to cause sensitization (BeS) carrying a risk of progression to Chronic Beryllium Lung Disease (CBD). Data are lacking on the epidemiology of beryllium related health effects in conventional munitions workers and limited studies have been published on the prevalence of BeS in workers with minimal exposure. Data on the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in nuclear weapons workers is also lacking. The main objectives of this study were to determine prevalence and risk factors for beryllium sensitization in former nuclear and conventional munitions workers and rates of and risk factors for pneumoconiosis in former nuclear weapons workers, both cohorts from the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP) in Burlington, IA. Methods: Former nuclear weapons workers were offered chest x-ray (CXR) and blood screening for sensitization with beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) as part of the Department of Energy (DoE) Former Worker Medical Screening Program. Conventional munitions workers were offered BeLPT and clinical follow-up if sensitized, as part of a Department of Defense (DOD) funded study. Chest x-rays were reviewed by three readers according to the International Labour Organization's Classification system for Radiographs for Pneumoconioses (ILO system). Exposures under study were characterized qualitatively by the industrial hygiene team and based on former worker interviews and historical industrial hygiene records. Results: The prevalence of beryllium sensitization in nuclear and conventional munitions workers was found to be slightly higher than in other workforces and weapons worker populations at low risk for exposure. The prevalence of parenchymal disease was higher in these nuclear weapons workers than in other DoE studies, while the prevalence of coincident parenchymal and pleural and isolated pleural disease was lower than in other nuclear weapons populations. Workers who occasionally dressed the copper-beryllium alloy tools were found to have an increased risk of beryllium sensitization, compared to those in administrative or other jobs with insignificant potential for exposure on site. Exposure to beryllium, asbestos, high explosives or barium was not associated with lung disease in this population. Conclusions: The findings from this study have potential policy implications for DOE and DOD to extend or implement beryllium surveillance and lung disease screening for their workforces and better control use of the copper-beryllium alloy tools in their production processes.

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The development of nuclear weapons and their proliferation: A comparison of Iran and North Korea Master Thesis Author: Martin Marek Supervisor: PhDr. Vít Střítecký, M.Phil., Ph.D. Year: 2016 Abstract The text deals with nuclear proliferation in the cases of Iran and North Korea. The motives of nuclear ambitions are examined using models of Scott D. Sagan and other selected theoretical concepts. Gradual analysis of exposed states in the perspective of historical development, national security, domestic politics and norms forms the basis for understanding the perception of nuclear weapons by these states and approach to them as to a mean to accomplish certain objectives. Subsequent comparison reveals both similarities and difference between examined states in the perspective of motives of nuclear proliferation and shows explanatory potential of each model, which is various, in given cases. The effort of ensuring national security seems to be the strongest motive in both examined cases. It is followed by domestic influences, whereas norms stand rather for additional factor. Nevertheless, variety in explanatory power of the models is apparent in the cases of Iran and North Korea, notably in relation with their limitations. Other factors, such as regime type or parallel development of other type of weapons of...

The aim of this work is to determine the influence of nuclear weapons possession in 1) Russia's foreign policy in the Ukraine crisis, 2) relations between NATO and Russia. For this purpose the work monitors the development of NATO - Russia relations from the Budapest memorandum until present. The work also creates typology of russian signalling activities based on the theoretical basis of the nuclear deterrence conceptions and especially on the models of crisis signalling, which is closely linked to these conceptions. After monitoring these activities the work concludes that Russia is indeed using threats of nuclear weapons employment in the framework of it's attitude towards Ukraine crisis and also the intensity of signalling shows similar development as the relations with NATO.

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This thesis is an attempt to understand the role of nuclear weapons in Britain's defence and foreign policies. It works from the assumption that decisions in relation to nuclear weapons, can only be understood in the context of a broader overview of the British state's policies since the 1940's. In turn Britain's nuclear policies have made a decisive impact on defence policy as a whole and have had an important effect on international developments. It is hoped that this thesis will contribute to a better-understanding of the causes and effects of the nuclear weapons policies adopted by the UK since the 19401s. The thesis will focus on the politics and political economy of nuclear weapons and British defence policy. This central concern has required that a number of other important aspects of the subject have been given only peripheral consideration. The thesis does not attempt to provide a detailed technological history of Britain's nuclear force. Nor is it intended to provide particular new insights on the nuclear decisionmaking process. Rather it seeks to explore the underlying factors which have shaped both the technology and the perceptions of decision-makers. There is no shortage of historical accounts of Britain's nuclear force. The unique contribution which it is hoped that this thesis makes, however, does not lie so much in its subject matter as in the way that this subject matter is approached. In my view that approach is sufficiently different from those of previous works in this area as to be both original and of some interest to other scholars in this field. / Rowntrees Memorial Trust

Yes / Professor Paul Rogers gives a brief overview of the present status of international legal prohibitions against both nuclear and chemical weapons. He then goes on to discuss the need to strengthen the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.