We often read about whether countries are increasing or decreasing their nuclear activity, but statistics on nuclear weapon security will leave you surprised.

Since 2012, the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit initiative launched by CNN founder Ted Turner and former US Senator Sam Nunn, have been issuing snapshots in time of each country’s nuclear capabilities, intentions and safety.

While  seven nuclear-capable countries have gotten rid of most or all of their weapons-grade nuclear material, over 2,000 tons of enriched uranium and plutonium stocks still remain. And researchers have revealed that despite reduced activity, weak links in the nuclear “supply chain” could end in worldwide nuclear disaster.

Global nuclear security is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain–and that makes it imperative that sovereign states exercise their own responsibility in the context of global cooperation.

Each year, more than 100 thefts and “unauthorised dealings” are reported to the the radioactive materials Internation Atomic Energy Agency each year, so these are important facts to consider.

Take a look at the map. It shows that while many countries have publicly decreased their nuclear activities, four have actually increased their stock and some materials still remain open for theft, sabotage, or sale on the black market.

[Source : FastCoExist]