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Practical Proposals on NATO Missile Defenses and Nuclear Policy
On the radar: Cooperate instead of agitate; Changing NATO’s nuclear policy; Invest in troops, not nukes; Nuke spending in the House; Cartwright’s doctrinal shift; Senators clash over Iran policy; a Nuke by any other name; Senate divided on East Coast site; Preserving the consensus on Iran; House moves the redline; Graphing reductions; and What is going on in this picture? Read more »
EARLY WARNING for May 18, 2012
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Cutting the Nuclear Stockpile in 2012?
The ratification of New START by the U.S. and Russia set a new ceiling for deployed strategic nuclear weapons at 1,550 in each country. Given the cost of maintaining these weapons and their lack of utility on the modern battlefield, the U.S. could (and should) go even lower. Read more »
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Posted by Peter Fedewa on May 18, 2012
infographic, International security, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Zero, President, Russia, Obama, United States
The Fukushima Saga, Cont.
More than a year after the Tohoku earthquake rocked Japan, concerns about the safety of the Fukushima nuclear facility persist. Fortunately, through efforts like that of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), it seems that we are moving forward toward better nuclear policies and practices. Read more »
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Posted by Rebecca Remy on May 15, 2012
Japan, Nuclear energy, fukushima, Hilary Clinton, Nuclear technology, Secretary of State, Senator Wyden, Tohoku earthquake, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Sinking the Navy with Excessive Nuclear Requirements
In tight budget times, the U.S. Navy cannot afford to waste funds on excessive capabilities for outdated Cold War weapons. Yet that is what some in Congress are attempting to do by blocking retirement of excess nuclear-armed submarines. As part of the Navy’s plan to replace its fleet nuclear-armed submarines, the Navy expects the number of subs in service to dip from 12 to 10 for much of the 2030s – a budget and strategy plan that the Navy believes is manageable. Read more »
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Posted by Ben Loehrke on May 14, 2012
Arms Control Association, budget, House, Navy, NDAA, Nuclear Budget, Spending, SSBN(X), Submarine, Submarines, United States Navy, Warheads
Still Need a Mother's Day Gift?
Mother’s Day is two days away. Have you gotten something out for all of the mothers on your list? Instead of rushing out at the last minute and picking out something in a panic, consider giving mom something that truly makes a difference: a donation to peace and disarmament in her name. Read more »
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Posted by Megan Murphy on May 11, 2012
nonproliferation, Julia Ward Howe, Mother's Day, peace
When Nuclear Spending Comes at the Expense of the Troops
Supporting the troops is an important value for many Americans. Unfortunately, both soldiers and veterans often get short shrift when it comes to actually allocating budgets. Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on May 10, 2012
Board of Directors, CMRR, Got Your Six, House Armed Services Committee, Los Alamos, Michael Douglas, Military, Nuclear Budget, veterans
A Distinguished Legacy: Honoring Senator Lugar
Indiana Senator Richard Lugar is a tough, seasoned conservative who could be brutal when fighting for his positions.  When it came to national security issues, however, Senator Lugar always put the national interest above partisan politics. On May 8, he lost the Indiana Republican primary election. Read more »
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Posted by admin on May 9, 2012
Foreign Policy, national security, Nuclear Weapons, Nunn-Lugar, Partners, Senator Richard Lugar, US politics
A billion people at risk?
The following is a guest post from Ashish Sinha, Program Manager at Physicians for Social Responsibility. In recent weeks, nuclear-capable missile tests by North Korea, India, and Pakistan have reminded all of us why national security experts continue to feel South Asia and the Korean Peninsula represent among the highest risks to international peace and stability. Read more »
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Posted by admin on May 8, 2012
South Asia, North Korea, Nuclear disarmament, India, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Ira Helfand, Nuclear Famine, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Partners, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Report, Russia, Pakistan
Nuclear Weapons: Hero or Villain in The Avengers
With Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye and Nick Fury facing off against Loki and a horde of Chitauri from another world one would not expect that the ultimate villain in the film, typically, is a nuclear weapon threatening to vaporize New York City under the auspices of saving the planet from invaders. Read more »
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Posted by Peter Fedewa on May 7, 2012
Entertainment, Nuclear Weapons
Welcoming New Board Members: Dr. Kennette Benedict, Sam Heins and Jill Werner
Ploughshares Fund has always benefited greatly from the insight and expertise of our fantastic board of directors. This week, we're thrilled to announce the addition of three new members to an already impressive group. Dr. Kennette Benedict, Sam Heins and Jill Werner.  Read more »
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Posted by admin on May 4, 2012
Board of Directors, Jill Werner, Kennette Benedict, Los Angeles, Partners, Sam Heins, Werner Family Foundation
Israeli generals balk at PM’s Iran policy
WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convinced that Iran is on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon. He believes that the Iranians cannot be deterred through diplomacy, and he views the Iranian threat as one that may bring about a second Jewish Holocaust. His generals disagree. Read more »
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Posted by Joel Rubin on May 3, 2012
Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lt. Gen Benny Gantz, Mossad, national security, Tamir Pardo, Military Strategy, Iran