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# Iran's nuclear question: a wider lens
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/irans-nuclear-question-wider-lens/
- Published: 2012-06-12T21:06:30.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:16:12.000Z
- Description: The valuable experience of Latin American states on key nuclear and conflict issues needs to be heard in the dialogue over Iran, says Juan Gabriel Tokatlian.
- Author: Juan Gabriel Tokatlian
- Tags: Conflict & security, #Migrated, Europe, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa, Politics & activism, globalisation, openSecurity, middle east, Democracy and government, institutions & government, Iran, conflict, International politics, 50.50, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 17:19

The global nuclear regime is eroding too quickly. Some countries around the world seem ready to develop their own nuclear-weapons initiative in the event of a sharp deterioration in the international environment. In this context the way Iran's uranium-enrichment programme is [managed](http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/iaeairan/index.shtml?ref=opendemocracy.net) and resolved is crucial.

Herein lies a further problem. For the handling of Tehran’s nuclear question by the "P5+1" (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France) plus Germany is [close](http://www.minnpost.com/christian-science-monitor/2012/06/iran-nuclear-talks-are-both-sides-frustrated-say-diplomats?ref=opendemocracy.net) to failure - notwithstanding the mix of rhetoric, posturing, and sanctions that surrounds it.

The Baghdad [summit](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-05/25/c%5F123187526.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) between the P5 + 1 and Iran (23-24 May), and the f[orthcoming](http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jzWUN6eAwW9RRgBaMiXOXDSxuYZQ?docId=CNG.faf8df20a253202de74b7bc7ee29c335.e1&ref=opendemocracy.net) round of talks in Moscow (on 18-19 June) are examples of diplomatic bankruptcy, because such gatherings are embedded in a traditional rationale that no [longer](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20120609a1.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) serves a useful purpose; that is, organising a "core" group and weighing the process in its favour. The reasoning is that only a few central actors know how to deal with nuclear proliferation.

It is clear, though, that the five permanent [members](http://www.un.org/sc/members.asp?ref=opendemocracy.net) of the United Nations Security Council who wield veto powers, together with an ascending Berlin, are not necessarily well-equipped to avoid nuclear development in the global periphery. After all, they have a poor record if the cases of Israel, Pakistan, India, and North Korea are taken into consideration. By contrast, several emerging countries in the global south who are bound by the [nuclear non-proliferation treaty](http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/NPT.shtml?ref=opendemocracy.net) (NPT) have demonstrated their understanding of and commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Their insight and experience should be welcomed.

**The others' experience**

In particular, a positive regional showcase deserves more attention. Latin America is witnessing a major redistribution of regional power with international implications - which is also both non-nuclear-weapons based and conflict-free. In the area there is now one [emerging](http://www.opendemocracy.net/arthur-ituassu/brazils-new-political-identity) international power (Brazil), several middling powers (Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela), and a few smaller powers (Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica). All coexist with a global [power-shift](http://carnegieendowment.org/ieb/2012/03/08/china-s-rise-and-latin-america-global-long-term-perspective/a1g6?ref=opendemocracy.net); none is a source of international tension. There are varied dynamics in the region - of measures, ideas and institutions - but they tend to support adherence to international regimes in the [resolution](http://www.opendemocracy.net/mariano-aguirre/iran-turkey-brazil-new-global-balance) of conflicts and non-proliferation.

Within that overall framework, Latin America has benefited from a central [stabilising](http://www.gmu.edu/programs/icar/ijps/vol3%5F2/Brigagao.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) attribute since the mid-1980s: the end of the security tensions between Brazil and Argentina. The pacifying effect of this bilateral achievement - which took place under the impulse of democracy, interdependence, and integration - was reinforced by the establishment in 1991 of the *Agencia Brasileño-Argentina de Contabilidad y Control de Materiales Nucleares* ([Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials](http://www.abacc.org.br/?ref=opendemocracy.net) / Abacc).

This [agency](http://www.abacc.org.br/?page%5Fid=99&lang=en&ref=opendemocracy.net) is the only one of its type in the world. Abacc is a binational agency that verifies the peaceful use of nuclear materials, thus avoiding the potential manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. Brazil may on the way to [becoming](http://www.opendemocracy.net/leslie-bethell/brazil-regional-power-global-power) a global player, but it is in part thanks to the good [work](http://www.abacc.org.br/?page%5Fid=146&lang=en&ref=opendemocracy.net) of Abacc that it has chosen not to develop nuclear arms.

Argentina, for its part, is ranked at 16 on its strengths along a range of nuclear measures (trends in material production / elimination, on-site physical protection, control and accounting procedures, response capabilities, domestic nuclear materials security legislation, independent regulatory agency, and voluntary commitments) - just below the United States (13) and ahead of France (19) (the ranking is organised by the [Nuclear Materials Security Index](http://www.ntiindex.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) of the [Nuclear Threat Initiative](http://www.nti.org/?ref=opendemocracy.net) \[NTI\]).

In short, Brasilia and Buenos Aires have where nuclear matters are concerned, they are [responsible](http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2009/01/08/brazil-and-argentina-s-nuclear-cooperation/i5u?ref=opendemocracy.net) actors: by checking each other, by improving the civilian use of nuclear power, by rejecting proliferation, and by making Latin America a democratic zone of peace. Argentina and Brazil have contributed decisively to the [creation](http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Brazil%5FArgentina%5Fextend%5Fcooperation-0102114.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) of a robust, authoritative intermediate security order within a highly contested global security order, and by producing and supporting a set of legitimate rules, norms, and procedures.

Their example [deserves](http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=52697&ref=opendemocracy.net) more recognition. But it should also earn them the chance to offer a meaningful input into the current, stalemated negotiations on the Iranian nuclear question. This is [now](http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/america-israel-iran-mediation-vs-war) a war-or-peace issue, and the voice of key emerging and regional actors demands to be listened to and incorporated into the process.