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Nuclear Guidance, Budget Impact
On the radar: Obama’s nuclear decisions; Panetta worried about Israeli strike; The shape of a deal with Iran; B61’s high price, questionable efficacy; Nork testing; Yoda on Iran; IAEA asked to tour Parchin; EASI report launched; and Ramstein to house BMD HQ. Read more »
EARLY WARNING for February 3, 2012
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Obama's Turn on Nuclear Weapons
When U.S. President Barack Obama took to the podium during a rare visit to the Pentagon early last month, he announced a new strategy for the country's military posture abroad. The United States would shift from being able to fight two major wars simultaneously to increasing its focus on Asia. But the president also explained that reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal would be key to future defense: "We will continue to get rid of outdated Cold War-era systems," he said, "so that we can invest in the capabilities we need for the future." Read more »
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Posted by Joe Cirincione on February 2, 2012
Department of Defense, Joe Cirincione, new start, Nuclear Budget, Nuclear Policy Guidance, Obama
Assessing Our National Security
Sometimes, it’s important to look at the big picture to get some perspective. In 2008, there was no New START treaty with Russia, Osama bin Laden remained at large plotting terrorist attacks with Al Qaeda, and Libyans were still under the dictatorial rule of Muammar Gaddaffi. Read more »
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Posted by Megan Murphy on January 31, 2012
Nuclear disarmament, Al-Qaeda, Center for American Progress, new start, Osama bin Laden, Prague speech, Iran, Terrorism
A Day to Remember
Today, people in communities throughout the nation will stop for a moment to pause and remember the toll of the nation’s nuclear weapons testing program on downwind citizens. Some will take part in official ceremonies; others are small groups of downwinders coming together to do something as simple as light candles in memory of loved ones who have died. They’ve waited a long time to be officially recognized by the government that harmed them. Read more »
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Posted on January 26, 2012
CTBT, downwinders, Nevada, radiation, Rob DeBirk, Senate, U.S. Congress, United States Senate, United States
Time to End Nuclear Testing
  How many tests are enough before you know that nuclear weapons are unacceptably destructive? The answer, it seems, is 2,053. That is the number of nuclear tests conducted worldwide since the Manhattan Project’s initial Trinity explosion in Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1945. Shockingly, over half of these tests have taken place here in the United States. Read more »
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Posted by Megan Murphy on January 25, 2012
CTBT, CTBT & Nuclear testing, International relations, Manhattan Project, National Day, Nevada, Nuclear warfare, radiation
Negotiations Back in the Picture
This weekend saw an encouraging resurgence of the word 'negotiations' in the conversation around Iran's nuclear program. After several weeks where talk of military conflict has dominated the discussion, it is a welcome change.  Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on January 24, 2012
NPT, David Ignatius, Media, negotiations, Public Editor, Stuart E. Eizenstat, the Washington Post, Iran
Concrete Steps to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
All countries can – and must – do more to secure nuclear materials. And countries must take action today, not the day after terrorists explode a nuclear device in a major city. Read more »
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Posted by Kelly Bronk on January 19, 2012
nuclear security summit, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Threat Initiative, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Zero, South Korea
Nuclear Weapons to Scale
Today, the B-2 Stealth bomber is capable of delivering 1,280 times the destructive power that the Enola Gay brought to bear on Hiroshima in 1945. On a scale, what does that look like? And, more to the point isn’t it a little excessive? Take a look below and judge for yourself. If you make it all the way, leave a comment and let us know what you think. Read more »
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Posted by Peter Fedewa on January 13, 2012
Enola Gay, judge for yourself, Nuclear Weapons, United States
Time for Engagement with Iran
On the surface, US-Iran relations are reaching a fevered pitch. The assassination of an Iranian scientist, possibly part of a covert campaign against Iran's nuclear program, is just the latest in a series of troubling developments. Iran has begun enriching uranium at its Fordo facility, expressed defiance of harsh economic sanctions from the West, and continues to threaten to close the Strait of Hormuz. In the US, loud calls for a military strike against Iran are increasing the tension. Read more »
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Posted by Mary Kaszynski on January 11, 2012
Diplomacy with Iran, Fordo facility, Iran sanctions, oil prices, Strait of Hormuz, Iran
US v Iran: Whose Team Would You Join?
Over the past week, there's been a lot of speculation over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Latin America. To help get some perspective on the debate, we asked international security expert and MIT professor Dr. Jim Walsh three questions on just what Iran might be up to. His answer? Not much.  Read more »
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Posted by admin on January 10, 2012
Diplomacy, Brazil, Hugo Chavez, Jim Walsh, Latin America, Venezuela, Iran, Terrorism
One Minute Closer to Doomsday
Today the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a venerable organization begun by Manhattan Project leaders who presciently realized the implications of their work, moved the Doomsday Clock one minute closer to midnight. It now stands at 5 minutes to “doomsday.” Read more »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on January 10, 2012
Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Doomsday Clock, Nuclear Zero