Nonproliferation Sanctions

The danger of proliferation-of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons and missiles for their delivery-is appreciated by almost everyone. Since the 1970s, some of the most important instruments for combating this danger have been U.S. sanctions laws requiring penalties for acts contributing to proliferation. However, by the mid-1990s, a backlash had developed against a broad range of unilateral U.S. economic sanctions. This study examines the United States' use of sanctions against foreign entities to prevent NBC and missile proliferation. It begins with a review of the objectives and provisions of the various U.S. nonproliferation sanctions laws, and compares the legal provisions at each step of the sanctions process. It then reviews the history of the applications of sanctions against proliferation and the problems revealed by the experience, then explores alternatives for dealing with these problems, including possible actions by both Congress and the Executive Branch.