Meanwhile the promises made by the NPT's members to stand by the treaty will likewise count for nothing without the will to hold to account Iran, Syria and the others that may follow them.

Some people worry that their relative lack of experience may keep women quiet on boards, and that in turn could mean that boards might become less able to hold managers to account.

This month's events, however, have suggested exactly the opposite: that forthright investigating judges can still hold politicians to account.