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However firm its stance, the U.S. cannot entirely eliminate the ambitions and fears that prod nations to acquire weapons of mass destruction. Washington could not, even if it wanted to, guarantee Arab states against Israel, India against China, Pakistan against India or Iran against Iraq. Some of them have the bomb now, and the others will get it. In the years to come, the U.S. will have to choose very carefully where to engage its interests and its military forces. It may have its hands full just protecting itself.
CHART: NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: TIME Graphic by Steve Hart
CAPTION: DECLARED NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES
UNDECLARED NUCLEAR-WEAPON STATES
WORKING ON OBTAINING NUCLEAR WEAPONS
CEASED DEVELOPING NUCLEAR WEAPONS