Certainly, many of the principles behind the PSI are laudable.  But if its procedures turn out to be less useful than other proliferation prevention activities, states should direct their finite time and manpower to the areas of concern where it can best be spent.  More details should be provided about the PSI's contribution to preventing Libya's acquisition of nuclear program components, and better evidence of the PSI's ability to prevent proliferation must be brought forward.

Michael Roston ([email protected]) is a nonproliferation policy researcher in Washington, DC.