In North Korea and Iran, would-be proliferators are starting to think twice about their nuclear pursuits. In recent months, North Korea has agreed to a suspension of its nuclear program. And although the rhetoric in Tehran has continued to be unyielding, it appears that internal fissures are beginning to form in Iran's resistance to international efforts to curb its nuclear programs. After many miserable years, international non proliferation efforts seem to have received a welcome boost.

So what caused this turnabout? One common element may be the punitive sanctions imposed on these countries by a unified Security Council. This new installment of UNF Insights explains how Security Council sanctions have helped prod North Korea and Iran away from their nuclear ambitions and offers recommendations on how to strengthen international non-proliferation regimes