More than half a century after the advent of the nuclear age is the world approaching a tipping point that will unleash an epidemic of nuclear proliferation Today many of the building blocks of a nuclear arsenalamp151scientific and engineering expertise precision machine tools software design informationamp151are more readily available than ever before. The nuclear pretensions of socalled rogue states and terrorist organizations are much discussed. But how firm is the resolve of those countries that historically have chosen to forswear nuclear weapons A combination of changes in the international environment could set off a domino effect with countries scrambling to develop nuclear weapons so as not to be left behindamp151or to develop nuclear hedge capacities that would allow them to build nuclear arsenals relatively quickly if necessary. Th e Nuclear Tipping Point examines the factors both domestic and transnational that shape nuclear policy. The authors distinguished scholars and foreign policy practitioners with extensive government experience develop a framework for understanding why certain countries may originally have decided to renounce nuclear weaponsamp151and pinpoint some more recent countryspecific factors that could give them cause to reconsider. Case studies of eight longterm stalwarts of the nonproliferation regimeamp151Egypt Germany Japan Saudi Arabia South Korea Syria Turkey and Taiwanamp151flesh out this framework and show how even these countries might be pushed over the edge of a nuclear tipping point. The authors offer prescriptions that would both prevent such countries from reconsidering their nuclear option and avert proliferation by others. The stakes are enormous and success is far from assured. To keep the tipping point beyond reach the authors argue the international community will have to act with unity imagination and strength and Washingtonampaposs leadership will be essential. Contributors include Leon Feurth George Wash