ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the links among geopolitics, the mechanics of nuclear fuel, strategic minerals, and the inherent politics of uranium particularly in its most dangerous form, Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU). In some form or other, minerals have always had a bearing on international relations and security. Uranium presents a unique case for the fields of geopolitics, defence conversion studies, and, in a more general manner, for studies of international security and foreign policy. The chapter discusses the geopolitical and strategic elements involved in uranium and particularly in its most dangerous form, HEU. It provides an account of the mechanics of the fuel cycle and the process through which uranium must go to create HEU, as well as the de-enrichment procedure. The security dynamic of military fissile material, as a strategic mineral, is geopolitical in nature. The geopolitics of the HEU deal demonstrates how the United States was able to pursue its broader foreign policy objectives of non-proliferation and Russian reforms.
