Dispelling Nuclear Nightmares

Most people think that the threat of nuclear weapons ended with the Cold War. They are dead wrong. Nuclear weapons still pose a clear and present danger, in the Middle East, in South Asia, on the Korean Peninsula and here in the United States. Joe Cirincione’s new book, Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before It’s Too Late, takes us on a journey through today’s nuclear challenges, and lays out a clear path for how we can make the world safer, one step at a time.

Rachel Maddow says, “Nuclear Nightmares should be required reading for every beltway journalist, every student of policy, and everyone who can't quite get their head around the thousands of nuclear bombs we're maintaining right now, ready to launch, even though no one can quite explain why on earth we would ever launch them.”

Maddow says Joe, “is our nation's best communicator and clarion advocate on reducing the threat of nuclear weapons.” We think so, too. We know that even if you read the newspaper daily, nuclear policy can be a challenge. It’s full of jargon, has a long and complicated backstory and seems to require a working knowledge of physics. In his new book, Joe gives an easily accessible guide to the leading issues today.

Did you know that…

• The United States still plans to spend roughly $650 billion over the next decade on nuclear weapons and related programs though military leaders don’t believe nuclear weapons are not useful for 21^st century security challenges. Amazingly, nuclear weapons have been exempted from sequester budget cuts, while programs that troops need now are being cut.
• The world’s most pressing nuclear challenge is Pakistan. With an unstable government, a collapsing economy, jihadist influences in its military and intelligence services, enough material for 200 bombs, and the constant risk of war with India, Pakistan just might be the world’s most dangerous nation.
• We are seeing the best chance we’ve had in decades to end the threat from Iran’s nuclear program. The domestic debate in both Iran and the United States will be fierce, but a diplomatic solution is possible and desirable for both nations.

Nuclear Nightmares goes on sale November 12. But you can get a sneak peak. Head to Joe’s site: nuclearnightmaresbook.com and download the first chapter for free.