Yet the problem for zero-boosters is that the lower you go, the trickier things get, argues Henry Sokolski of the Washington-based Non-proliferation Policy Education Centre.

ECONOMIST: Nuclear disarmament

The head of the Non-proliferation Policy Education Centre in Washington, a vocal critic of the Agreed Framework, has warned that even when the new reactors are completed they may not be tamper-proof.

BBC: Analysis: N Korea's nuclear deal

Whether such a policy materially advances the cause of non-proliferation appears, frankly, to be a secondary consideration.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Vive La France! French Determination To Perform Necessary Nuclear Testing Should Be Wake-Up Call To US

Sidney Drell says there are many areas of policy where all nations committed to non-proliferation should be able to agree.

NPR: Nuclear Weapons Gain Importance for Regional Powers