The Problems with the NTI Ranking on Nuclear Security

The assertion made by us in our preliminary comment—that the NTI Report has done more harm than good for nuclear security—is further substantiated here in this Issue Brief. Governments have begun to question the credibility of the entire process of non-governmental actors contributing to the debate and discussion on nuclear security. Indexing will provide a further opportunity for countries to make allegations that the NGOs working on nuclear security are basically pushing the agenda of the US non-proliferation community as well as of the US government. Broadly, the Report appears to be along the conventional North-South divide with one of its sub-headings reading “Wealthy and Democratic States Score Higher”. The NTI response has not changed our perception.

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