---
category: Nuclear Concept
summary: Nuclear proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable
  material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not
  recognized as 'nuclear weapon states' by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
tags:
- Concept
- Nuclear
- Politics
---

Nuclear proliferation refers to the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as "nuclear weapon states" by the [NPT](/events/nuclear-nonproliferation-treaty/). The [United States](/places/united-states/) government, particularly under President [Lyndon B. Johnson](/people/lyndon-b-johnson/), publicly opposed nuclear proliferation. However, the bureaucracy often mirrored the ambivalence and hypocrisy at the top of the American government regarding a nuclear-armed [Israel](/places/israel/), pretending that American inspections amounted to proof that [Israel](/places/israel/) was not building the bomb.[^1]

[^1]: Hersh, Seymour M. *The Samson Option: Israel's Nuclear Arsenal and American Foreign Policy*. Random House, 1991. Chapter 11.