Assad-era Syrian reactor was configured for nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that Syria, under former President Bashar Assad, was building a nuclear reactor designed to produce material potentially usable in nuclear weapons. This reactor, constructed with North Korean assistance, was never declared and posed significant proliferation concerns. After Assad’s removal, the new Syrian government allowed IAEA inspectors to access suspected nuclear sites. During a recent visit, inspectors found evidence of a nuclear reactor and discovered 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal. The IAEA has now placed this material under safeguards, installing cameras to monitor it. The decision on whether to keep or remove the material rests with the Syrian government. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of nuclear security and the importance of international oversight. QUESTION: How might the discovery of undeclared nuclear materials in Syria influence global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation?