ABSTRACT
Libya's economic and security picture had changed dramatically over the preceding decade and the pursuit of nuclear weapons and other WMD had come to be viewed by the regime as a strategic liability. The Libyan case provides a contemporary example of the physical dimensions of a strategic decision to give up the pursuit of nuclear weapons. The provision of unhindered access to any and all facilities as required by inspectors, and in-depth information on past nuclear activities and plans, has ensured the transparency of Libya's nuclear sector to external observers. The case experience highlights the value of applying both carrots and sticks to persuade proliferators to forego the possession or pursuit of nuclear weapons. The Libyan case also demonstrates that acquiring fissile material remains by far the biggest challenge in developing nuclear weapons. This is particularly the case where countries have failed to establish a technical and scientific infrastructure to support activities necessary for producing weapons-grade uranium or plutonium.
