<P> Because there was no formalized treaty ending the Cold War, the former superpowers have continued to various degrees to maintain and even improve or modify existing nuclear weapons and delivery systems . Moreover, other nations not previously acknowledged as nuclear - weapons states have developed and tested nuclear - explosive devices . </P> <P> The risk of nuclear and radiological terrorism by possible sub-national organizations or individuals is now a concern . </P> <P> The international nonproliferation regime inherited from the Cold War still provides disincentives and safeguards against national or sub-national access to nuclear materials and facilities . Formal and informal measures and processes have effectively slowed national incentives and the tempo of international nuclear - weapons proliferation . </P> <P> Numerous and beneficial uses of nuclear energy have evolved such as the use of nuclear energy to create electricity . Commercial nuclear - reactor operation and construction have persisted, with some notable increase in worldwide energy production . The management of nuclear waste remains somewhat unresolved, depending very much on government policies . However, the quantity of waste produced from nuclear power plants is relatively small, and nuclear waste has been proven to be recyclable . Several countries, including France, Japan, and Finland, currently reprocess nuclear waste . </P>

What are the causes and effects of the cold war