It would be, in fact, very ominous if Iraq were to be able to get weapon-usable material, hydro-plutonium or highly enriched uranium from abroad.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
I argue that for every country to have an independent fuel cycle is the wrong way to go. Because any country which has a complete fuel cycle is a latent nuclear weapons country, in the sense that it is not far from making a nuclear weapon.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Having an independent fuel cycle can lead countries close to developing nuclear weapons.
In this quote, Mohamed Elbaradei emphasizes the dangers of each country maintaining its own independent nuclear fuel cycle. He argues that such capability could enable nations to quickly transition to nuclear weapons if they choose to, posing a significant threat to global security and stability.
Themes
NuclearFuel CycleWeaponsSecurityCountries
In practice
Example use cases
During a conference on disarmament, one could cite this quote to advocate for international cooperation on nuclear energy.
More from Mohamed Elbaradei
All quotes →Countries that perceive themselves to be vulnerable can be expected to try to redress that vulnerability - and in some cases, they will pursue clandestine weapons programs.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and - society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity.
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I couldn't have imagined that I would live long enough to see Egypt emancipated from decades of repression.
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Psychology is as important as substance. If you treat people with respect, they will go out of their way to accommodate you. If you treat them in a patronizing way, they will go out of their way to make your life difficult.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
The gravest threat faced by the world is of an extremist group getting hold of nuclear weapons or materials.
Mohamed ElbaradeiRead
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