@article{2013,title={SECURITY ISSUES IN THE 21st CENTURY: NUCLEAR WEAPONS AS A THREAT},abstractNode={Nuclear bombs are the most destructive weapons developed so far in the world history. First used in 1945, these weapons have since become the most important subject of arguments on international security. As of today there nine countries with nuclear arms in the world and a big struggle is underway in the international arena to prevent this number from increasing. North Korea was the first country to acquire these weapons in the twenty first century and having sought nuclear technology, Iran is also thought to be intent on production of such weapons. On the other hand, the main concerning point from the perspective of international security is that the rise of new nuclear weapon states may pave the way for terror organization to somehow acquire such weapons. This study firstly looks at the struggle underway in the international system to prevent an increase in the number of countries with nuclear weapons. In this regard the nuclear activities of North Korea and Iran are assessed and it is said that the Western world and especially the USA is thought to be considering the issues with a constructivist understanding. In the second chapter it is emphasized that another aspect of the nuclear threat for the international security is about the terrorist organizations. While there is a belief that the nuclear states will act rationally, the terrorist organizations who behave wholly in contrast with this approach pose a serious cause of concern because of frightening results that may occur if they get their hands on such weapons. In this sense the importance of international cooperation is mentioned as a final note. },author={Kadir SANCAK},year={2013},journal={The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies}}