This article brought into like the international ramifications of black market operations. While, obviously, sex trafficking is horrific and must be stopped, it does not pose an immediate risk to international security.
What's more interesting is that no weapons, at least none mentioned in the article, were exchanged. It was merely blueprints. This information, unlike a nuclear weapon, can be used over and over again. It could form the basis of a dangerously strong military. Also, in my opinion, if this information gets into the wrong hands, it could be more dangerous than an actual nuclear warhead. In addition to the reasons above (multiple uses), the information can be spread easily without much being lost. Hostile nations can gain access to this information without the supplying nation giving up anything.
I'm curious to find out what security measures are currently in place in order to slow this spread of information. Will it soon become impossible, as new technologies that makes the transfer of information easier continue to develop? Or will our defense technologies develop enough to counter this? Borders are difficult to protect in cyberspace; how will we stop the spread of dangerous information to hostile nations?
How do you think Prof Beeman (the blog we read for class) might respond to this? He thinks our fear of nuclear weapons and Iran is ridiculous--what do you all think?
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