What are the key limitations of the IAEA safeguards system in preventing nuclear proliferation?

The IAEA safeguards system, while crucial for monitoring declared nuclear facilities and materials, has key limitations in preventing nuclear proliferation. A primary limitation is that the IAEA's authority is limited to verifying that declared nuclear material is not diverted for weapons purposes. It cannot prevent a state from building undeclared facilities or pursuing a parallel, clandestine nuclear weapons program. The Additional Protocol to the NPT expands the IAEA's authority to in....