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This book explores religion's role in shaping a state's nuclear policies. It analyses whether religion becomes a motivating or de-motivating factor in the nuclear weapons programs. The fatwa of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, against nuclear weapons is an important factor in the recent debate over the possibility of nuclear weaponization in Iran. At the same time, Pakistan's nuclear tests of 1998 were labelled as tests of an 'Islamic bomb'.
The book also examines various theories on the causes of nuclear weaponization, adding the role of religion within their frameworks. It also explores religion's direct impact on nuclear policymakers and the indirect influence in nuclear policy by shaping social norms, strategic culture, and public opinion in countries.
About the author
Dr. Shameer Modongal teaches West Asian Studies at the University of Kerala. He completed PhD from the Centre for International Politics, Organization, Diplomacy and Disarmament (CIPOD) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His book, Islamic Perspectives on International Conflict Resolution, was published by Routledge in 2022. In 2021, Vij Books published his edited book Counterterrorism and Global Security: Genesis, Responses and Challenges. Additionally, his works have appeared in many international peer-reviewed journals like Bandung: Journal of the Global South, Cogent Social Sciences, Defense & Security Analysis, Defence Studies, Digest of Middle East Studies, Insight Turkey, International Studies Review, Human Rights Review, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, Politics, Religion & Ideology, Political Studies Review and Strategic Studies. He is also serving as an editor/reviewer of many international journals.
