How Nuclear Weapons Spread deals with the problem of nuclear proliferation from the perspective of the 1990s. This study represents the post-1989 approach to the redrawn military map of the world. Frank Barnaby incorporates the realities of the present global situation and assesses the developments that may occur in the next decade. He argues that nuclear proliferation has become much easier since the end of the East-West standoff and the break-up of the former Soviet Union.

Barnaby demonstrates the intimate link between peaceful and military nuclear programs. He examines several Third World countries, including Israel, India and Pakistan, which have nuclear weapons or could very rapidly acquire them. He assesses the capabilities of countries such as Iran, Iraq and North Korea which are suspected of having nuclear-weapon ambitions. He also considers the alarming possibility that terrorists might obtain nuclear weapons and discusses methods for controlling their spread.