The Watchdog that Didn’t Bark

James Phillips / July 09, 2009

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, often described as the U.N.’s “nuclear watchdog,” criticized NATO earlier this week for encouraging nuclear proliferation. He urged NATO to drop any reference to nuclear deterrence in its new strategic statement, saying it encouraged proliferation: “You are sending a message to anyone around the world who reads your concept that they too need nuclear weapons,” he said. “The idea that nuclear is the supreme guarantee should be dropped because it’s absolutely the wrong message to the rest of the world.” ElBaradei also questioned the consistency of policy by NATO, which has committed troops to Afghanistan but has been unable to supply a single helicopter to help refugees in Darfur. (more…)