Washington, June 04: Observing that the global nonproliferation regime has broken down, a top intelligence expert here said crises may emerge "any time" between India and Pakistan or with North Korea or other countries seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. "We could be faced at any time with crises between India and Pakistan or with North Korea, as well as with other countries that may seek swift acquisition of nuclear weapons," Robert L Hutchings, chairman of National Intelligence Council, an umbrella body of all US Intelligence Agencies, said.
In a recent speech here under the title "the world after Iraq," Hutchings said that one of the few things on which the international community might agree is that the international non-proliferation regime has broken down. Some states may look to North Korea and Iraq and conclude that swift acquisition of nuclear weapons pre-empts US action whereas mere development invites it, he said. Bureau Report