| The proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their delivery systems, particularly ballistic missiles, is among the most prominent concerns on the contemporary international security agenda. Efforts to contain proliferation, traditionally undertaken through global regimes, have had a mixed record. This study explains the outcome of missile nonproliferation endeavors through the theoretical framework of international regimes. These theoretical underpinnings may also be used to predict the future effectiveness of missile nonproliferation endeavors.; The first section of this study examines the formation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) by the United States and its G-7 allies and the expansion of the regime to cover key missile suppliers such as Russia and China. While cooperation among states is essential for the formation of regimes, conflicting interests, power politics, sanctions, and incentives are also involved in the bargaining processes that lead to cooperation, and these are prominent factors behind the MTCR's operation.; The next section of this study examines the MTCR's impact on the missile programs of major regional powers. The missile programs of Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan were curbed, representing cases of regime success. India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, and Pakistan continue with missile activity, illustrating the regime's limitations. The MTCR's technology barriers, combined with political-economic factors such as the unipolar structure of the post-Cold War international system, increasing interdependence between states in this system, democratization, and regional security considerations, explain national missile decisions and account for variations in the above outcomes.; The final section of this study examines the institutional design, scope, and domain of the missile regime. It notes the advantages of expanding the missile regime's scope beyond supply-side technology barriers to build more politically robust nonproliferation institutions that would counter technological advances and tackle emerging issues on the missile nonproliferation agenda. |
