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REUTERS
HOTHOUSE: Yongbyon boasts enough spent fuel for as many as eight bombs |
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| Who's Who in the Nuclear-Suspect Club |
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North Korea isn't the only small state trying to procure nuclear weapons
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By Romesh Ratnesar |
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Posted Sunday, January 5, 2002; 10:31 a.m. EST
Declared nuclear powers include the U.S., Russia, China, France, Britain, India and Pakistan. Israel refuses to admit it but is known to have 100 to 200 nuclear warheads. Three ex-Soviet republics—Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan—as well as South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, voluntarily gave up their weapons or research programs. Now several upstarts are trying to join the nuclear family.
NORTH KOREA
The regime had enough plutonium in 1994 for one or two bombs; it's unclear whether it followed through. By restarting its reprocessing center, it could generate material for up to eight more bombs within months. North Korea has missiles that menace South Korea and Japan and may be developing others that could hit the U.S.
IRAN
With five research reactors and four incomplete power reactors, Iran, U.S. intelligence suspects, isn't far from building weapons. North Korea has sold the Iranians ballistic-missile know-how. Iranians have test-fired a missile that could put Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia within range.
IRAQ
U.N. inspectors successfully dismantled most of Iraq's known nuclear program after the Gulf War, but Saddam still has the scientists and a weapon design; all he needs is fissile material. After four years without inspections, no one knows how close he is to having the Bomb.
U.S. and Israeli intelligence sources believe Iraq has hidden medium-range missiles.
LIBYA
Muammar Gaddafi has tried for decades to develop a program but with little success. Intelligence sources say Libya tried and failed to buy ready nukes from China but did secure uranium on the black market. Gaddafi is negotiating with Russia to build a reactor, but it would take Libya years to build its own weapon.
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NATION
 Who Are the Raelians?
The news of a second "cloned" baby has piqued further interest in this tiny, controversial sect. One member speaks out
PHOTO ESSAY
Cheney's Rise
How did a quiet kid from Wyoming come to wield such power? An intimate look at the U.S. Vice President
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ARTS
Best and Worst 2002
The Piano Man conquers Broadway, Eminem goes Hollywood. Plus the rest of TIME's picks for the best of the year
HEALTH
A Smallpox Shot?
The vaccine works but carries real risks. How to tell if you should take it
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