War in Iraq spurs new nuclear arms race

Ann Penketh of The Independent (link via Juan Cole) argues that the Iraq War has broken down normative barriers to nuclear proliferation. Again, an issue of legitimacy in the international sphere. I'll have a post up on the legitimacy question soon.

In a world no longer guided by a universally accepted regime, countries are weighing the nuclear option. Arab states consider nuclear-armed Israel, and are drawing their own conclusions. Iran is hemmed in by hostile neighbours such as Israel and Pakistan. A nuclear test by North Korea could prompt Taiwan and Japan to follow down that road....

Today, the "official" nuclear powers could annihilate the world many times over. And 40 other countries have the know-how to join their club. Sixty years after Hiroshima, who can say with confidence: "Never again"?