The nuclear weapon game has changed drastically since the first bomb was dropped on Japan. Since the bomb’s discovery, the technology and production of nuclear bombs have drastically improved. There are at least ten known nations known to have nuclear power. Russia has approximately 7,500 warheads, with the U.S. close behind at 7,200. These two nations are the only true contenders by the sheer number of arms that they have. The next closest is France with 300. Still, many countries are attempting to enter the global stage with nuclear power.

2015 brought some nuclear changes with the Iran Nuclear Deal. Negotiators arranged for the limiting of Tehran’s nuclear prowess for a lift of the international sanctions against them.

The Iran Nuclear Deal affected two routes of nuclear bomb production. Uranium is mined from the earth. Less than one percent of this is U-235, the isotope usable in bomb production. The rest of the uranium is used to produce Plutonium. Pu-239 is formed from the uranium to make more bombs. 

The Nuclear Deal had Iran agree to shut down about half of its centrifuges, machinery used to separate the elements. The agreement also had Iran shut down some of their nuclear reactors. Iran agreed to not build any more heavy water reactors for the next 15 years. 

To ensure that it is keeping its side of the deal, Iran allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency to obtain greater access to information regarding its nuclear programs. All in all, this nuclear deal has increased Iran’s production time of a nuclear bomb to at least one year.

Although the Iran Nuclear Deal felt like a big commitment for some, new deals are soon to be emerging in the near future with the nuclear tests in North Korea. Just this month, North Korea proclaimed a successful test of its nuclear weapons, unveiling a successful test of its hydrogen bomb. But scientists are skeptical. Scientists believe that the bomb tested could not have been an H-bomb due to its small magnitude. 

Many are concerned, however, that North Korea is developing missile atomic bombs, which could possibly reach the United States. North Korea is definitely interested in expanding their nuclear arsenal, and is actively attempting newer forms of weaponry. New nuclear deals may be in store for 2016, with many restrictions in place. Every test is taken as a threat and a chance for North Korea to advance its nuclear programs.

2016 is slated to be a year of great change and adaptation. Change is imminently necessary to protect the world from increasing nuclear technology. For now, only time can tell what will come of the nuclear problems with North Korea.