A world without atomic weapons

World leaders at the UN security council have vowed to stop the spread of atomic weapons.

The unanimously adopted, US-drafted resolution shows that Barack Obama, the US president, means business and is leading by example.

The security council summit coincided with a global focus on Iran.

Just a few days earlier, Iran had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s nuclear watchdog, of its new fuel-enrichment plant.

The US, France and the UK immediately accused Tehran of deception after it admitted to the existence of the facility on Monday.

Iran says the uranium enrichment plant, near the city of Qom, is in line with UN regulations.

With the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) looking increasingly fragile, would nuclear powers willingly give up their arsenals?

Is Obama’s vision realistic or is it a political manoeuvre against Iran?

Inside Story presenter Nick Clark is joined by Stephen Zunes, a professor of International Studies at the University of San Francisco, Andy Martin, the author of Obama, the man behind the mask, who is also running to be the Republican candidate for the Illinois senate, and Chris Emery, an Iran specialist from the University of Birmingham.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Sunday, September 27, 2009.