Since the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the international world has become increasingly interested in the development and potential use of destructive nuclear weapons. During the Cold War era these concerns reached their peak, as the United States and the Soviet Union competed for superiority in the international system. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s seemed to mark the end of the most troubling chapter in the history of nuclear proliferation. However, nuclear weapons have once again returned to the center of international concerns, particularly with regards to regions such as Iran, Pakistan, India and China. The articles “Living with a Nuclear Iran” by Robert D. Kaplan and “America's Nuclear Meltdown towards “Global Zero”” by Lavina Lee both highlight the growing concern about the development and use of nuclear power and argue that a direct action to prevent the onset of nuclear war in the future. In both articles cited above, the authors make clear the idea that nuclear weapons continue to be a concern for many nations. Today's concern, the articles agree, differs to some extent from that of the Cold War: it is more commonly feared that revolutionary nations such as Iran and Pakistan will develop weapons that could pose a threat to other nations, and not so much that the use of nuclear destruction is imminent. The authors of these articles seem to agree that “… treaty talks are simply a concession phase in the continuing struggle” (Kaplan 140). This statement highlights the belief that agreements between nations will not be sufficient to prevent the buildup of nuclear weapons; More action needs to be taken to discourage nuclear energy storage. The actions to be taken, however, mark contra... middle of paper... another nuclear stalemate and possible nuclear war. The difference between these articles lies in the authors' ideas about what kind of actions need to be taken to combat an increasingly nuclear world. Despite the differences, the articles' message remains clear: nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat to the world today, and the international system must act to prevent the potential catastrophic effects that would result from the use of nuclear weapons. Works Cited Kaplan , Robert D. “Living with a Nuclear Iran.” The Atlantic. (September 2010). Rpt. in Global Issues 13/14. Ed. Robert M. Jackson. New York: McGraw Hill, 2014. 139-141. PrintLee, Lavina. “The American nuclear disaster towards global zero”. USA Today Magazine. (May 2011): 39-41. Rpt. in annual editions: global editions 13/14. Ed. Robert M. Jackson. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. 142-145. Press.