WorldJuly 14, 2026

denuclearization

/diːˌnjuːkliəraɪˈzeɪʃən/

Definition

The act or process of eliminating a country's nuclear weapons program and associated technology.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'de-' (reversal or removal), 'nuclear' (relating to the nucleus of an atom), and the suffix '-ization' (forming a noun of action). It entered modern political discourse in the mid-20th century to describe the disarmament of atomic weaponry.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to describe the diplomatic goal of getting North Korea to dismantle its nuclear arsenal as a condition for removing international sanctions. It serves as a key example of how political and strategic objectives influence the designation of countries as state sponsors of terrorism.

Terrorism: Confronting Terror

Read the full article ↗

Council on Foreign Relations

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