what stops countries from secretly developing nuclear weapons?

Question

What I mean is that nuclear technology is more than 60 years old now, and I guess there is a pretty good understanding of how to build nuclear weapons, and how to make ballistic missiles. So what exactly stops countries from secretly developing them in remote facilities?

In: Other

Answer 1

Because while it’s understood doesn’t mean it’s easy, and non-proilferation agreements mean nobody wants to sell them expertise or equipment, and if you try anyway you get sanctioned. Even modern isotope separation techniques rely on large banks of bespoke gas centrifuges. North Korea did it anyway, but most countries value peace and trade more than militarization.