The unipolar world goes green
In one example of an innovative approach, satellite monitoring is being used to enforce compliance with bilateral agreements covering the use of driftnets in the Pacific Ocean between the United States and Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Once the United States detects a possible violator, coast guard officials are allowed to board the suspicious vessel and detain it if necessary until the appropriate national authority arrives an the scene. The International Atomic Energy Agency also conducts inspections under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to ensure that material from civilian nuclear power is not being diverted towards military ends. But the 1991 discovery that Iraq, was On its way to developing a bomb despite the inspections demonstrates the need to strengthen the system - possibly by providing for unannounced visits. Recent site inspections have also broken new ground in this area that may one day prove helpful to international environment agreements.