You know, Sandy, I think everyone has not only an interest, but a responsibility, to be concerned about proliferation of nuclear material and weapon technology, materials, components and machinery used to construct and deliver them.
In the eyes of many nations or groups, there is no quicker way to earn fear, masquarading as respect, from larger countries. Entry into the ultimate gentlemen's club that lets them walk and talk with a swagger and bask in the glow of silence as others listen to them, instead of dictate terms to them.
I don't think having more members in the club is good for the club, or good for the vast majority of non-members. The members should be doing more to reduce the number of members and close the club down completely, not blessing non-signers of the non-proliferation treaty with trade deals and polite respectablity.
The personalities and priorities of people who govern the club nations can change in a heartbeat. We're seeing more and more emotional rhetoric and domestic political posturing by 'so-called' leaders to secure their power - fanning the flames of fear to their constituents.
I don't think anything good is going to come from this. There are just too many people trying to hold on to power, and too many diverse peoples with long-held feelings of perceived (true or false doesn't matter) wrongs against them itching for a good fight, thinking that is leadership and their legacy.
