PALs for Pals: The U.S. and Pakistan

Document Type

Article

Authors

Anna McDermott, Pepperdine University

Abstract

Of all the nuclear arsenals in the world, Pakistan’s faces the most risk. With over forty terrorist organizations active within the country, frequent power fluxes between the military, government and intelligence agencies, and a history of security breaches plaguing its nuclear program, Pakistan makes North Korea seem secure and stable. With all the challenges that face the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, it still lacks one basic security technology, Permissive Action Links (PALs), which are use control devices that make it virtually impossible for any unauthorized person to detonate a nuclear weapon. Over the years, there have been barriers that have prevented Pakistan from integrating PALs into their arsenal, regardless of how much they will improve safety. Most of these reasons have revolved around the legality of a technology transfer; however, these legal obstructions are simply caused by inefficient rules left over from the Cold War. An investigation shows that these barriers are not insurmountable, and that PAL technology could in fact promote a much-needed modernization of international nonproliferation law.

Recommended Citation

McDermott, Anna (2009) "PALs for Pals: The U.S. and Pakistan," Global Tides: Vol. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/globaltides/vol3/iss1/4